Russian imports 'have substantially declined' in recent weeks, authorities taking measures to stabilize this - Reshetnikov

MOSCOW. March 28 (Interfax) - Russian imports have declined "substantially" in recent weeks, but the authorities taking measures to stabilize this, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov told reporters.

"We're doing all we can to stabilize imports, which have declined substantially in recent weeks, as much as possible, and so that businesses can look for new suppliers, new countries, and actively import their products. All this is taking place while we work out new supply chains with our neighbors - we are actively discussing new ways," he said.

A law has already been passed to simplify a number of procedures for participants in foreign economic activity, which, in particular, enables the government to determine priority activities to carry out investment projects in which technological equipment can be imported duty-free, he said.

Reshetnikov said that from this week, import duties on a long list of goods in the EurAsEC framework have already been lowered. "We are talking about food products, including baby food, vegetables, and in the near future this will also extend to a number of non-food goods," he said.

Also, the procedure for importing multi-component equipment has been significantly simplified: the requirement to import multi-component goods only as part of one foreign economic transaction has been suspended until January 1, 2029.

Starting this week it is possible to submit copies of documents along the whole EurAsEC perimeter when importing goods - previously only originals were permitted.

A new procedure has launched for declaring when importing goods - earlier certificates were required for a long list of products, but now a procedure is allowed "when manufacturers or importers can, under their obligations and guarantees, import these products and put them into circulation, and within six months they are obliged to carry out all procedures [related to certification]," Reshetnikov said.

In addition, the Federal Customs Service has issued its own separate order, simplifying the procedures for controlling products at the border.