Decision on parallel imports of alcohol may be made by end of Sept, food products not being discussed - Russian minister

SOCHI. Sept 19 (Interfax) - Agencies could make a decision on including certain brands of alcoholic beverages on the parallel imports list, which allows the import of products without the consent of rights holders, before the end of September, and this is the preferred timeframe so that retail networks are able to stock up in time for the holidays, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov told journalists.

"The fact is that if this is by the New Year, then inclusion is already pointless, they won't even have time to stock up. I therefore think that a measured decision may be made before the end of the month - yes, no, or some other positions," Manturov said.

Manturov said that he had not heard about any discussion on including food products on the list for parallel import. "I haven't heard. We definitely don't have a shortage of food products, I think," he said.