Putin calls on businesses to withdraw from offshore zones
MOSCOW. Dec 21 (Interfax) - The state is ready to help businesses develop, but it expects them to withdraw from offshore zones, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a congress of Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia).
"We will do all we can so that you can develop your enterprises and conquer new sales markets. But businesses should also understand their responsibility to the country. Don't hide money and assets in offshore zones. It is unacceptable in any way - legal or semi-legal - to evade taxes," Putin said.
Today the "offshore legacy" is becoming a real barrier to creating a normal business climate in the country and is lowering the level of trust in the economy - both from the side of Russian entrepreneurs and from foreign investors, he said.
It is therefore necessary to make the relevant adjustments at a legislative level, Putin said.