Russia’s economic development and trade minister German Gref told reporters on Thursday that he hopes import duties on components used in the assembly of foreign branded vehicles in Russia will be abolished or lowered in the near future.

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According to Prime-Tass, Gref also said that the production of foreign branded vehicles may be allowed in special economic zones.


Some large foreign companies are considering producing vehicles in Russia outside these special economic zones, Gref said. Special tax and customs conditions might be created for such companies, according to Gref.


The Russian government in principle approved at its regular meeting Thursday the bill on special economic zones prepared by the Economic Development and Trade Ministry.


The bill has to be refined and submitted to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, in two weeks, Prime-Tass noted.

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