11.09.08

Deputies propose simplifying procedures for importing goods to Special Economic Zones (SEZ). The proposed amendments would allow residents to change the range of items imported into the zone on an as-needed basis (right now, changes can only be made once per quarter). The members of the Committee on Economic Policy introduced the bill to the State Duma. It will be reviewed in the fall session.

Kirill Yankov, Deputy Director of the Federal Agency for Management of SEZ, supports the amendments. Customs has not voiced any objections.

According to the bill, the Department of Transportation would have to coordinate the construction and reconstruction of port infrastructure. Yankov says that this could be done by either the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency or the Federal Agency of Air Transport.

The amendments would allow state unitary enterprises and gas companies to work in SEZ, even if they are not registered there. Right now the Russian Railways cannot renovate its assets located in these zones. The zone would include both the territory of the port and the water zone.

One of the amendments states that if a company is inactive in the zone for two years, the supervisory board of the zone can take away its residential status. One purpose of this amendment is to eliminate land speculation in the zones.

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Source: "Vedomosti"