The State Duma held a round table on the conditions for the return of foreign companies to the Russian Federation

On May 27, the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy held a roundtable on the return of foreign investors to Russia. The Russian Timber Association was represented at the discussion by its First Vice President Andrey Goncharov.

The participants discussed a wide range of topics: from requirements for returning businesses (localization, technology transfer, development of value chains in the Russian Federation) to the risks of resuming the work of individual companies and the interests of new owners of former foreign assets. The prospects for maintaining parallel imports and the possible introduction of duties on a number of import categories were also touched upon.

One of the key topics was the revision of the bill on the waiver of options for foreigners. The document assumes that Russian businesses will be able to unilaterally refuse to exercise options if a number of conditions are met. The compensation mechanism will be preserved, but the amount of payments may be contested. The bill will be submitted for consideration in June.

We are talking about a systemic measure to protect economic sovereignty and eliminate asset buyback schemes at a reduced price. This position was outlined by the President of the Russian Federation at the RSPP congress in March 2025.