Russian banks' criticism of marketplace discounts not entirely fair - AFK Sistema founder

RIYADH. Dec 1 (Interfax) - The criticism from large banks regarding marketplaces that set discounts on goods through affiliated banks is not entirely fair, the founder of PJSC AFK Sistema , Vladimir Yevtushenkov, said in a conversation with journalists.

The corporation's portfolio of assets includes the marketplace Ozon .

The banking sector has recently intensified its criticism of marketplaces, arguing that the ability to receive discounts on goods when paying with cards from affiliated banks violates the principles of fair competition. The issue of providing banks with equal access to the infrastructure of trading platforms is actively being discussed by the Central Bank of Russia, the government and the Federal Antimonopoly Service.

On November 20, it became known that Sberbank , VTB , T-Bank , Alfa-Bank and Sovcombank sent a letter to a number of addressees, including the Central Bank, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, proposing to prohibit marketplaces from applying discounts when paying for goods with cards issued by affiliated banks.

"My position is that this is not entirely fair towards marketplaces. Yes, they managed to create a good banking product," Yevtushenkov said.

He recalled that both banks and marketplaces have already publicly announced their positions.

"So now, in particular, it is up to the Central Bank to make a final decision regarding the whole issue. We'll see," he said.

"Ultimately, any tightening of something affects ordinary people, because they are the customers," he said.