The Institute of Contemporary Development hosted a roundtable discussion on “Legislation on the State Regulation of Retail Activity in the Russian Federation – Positions, Risks and Prospects”.

The roundtable, organized by INSOR and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, was attended by trade experts, who sought to clarify proposals and amendments to draft legislation on this issue. Following the first reading of the legislation in the State Duma over 200 amendments have been introduced by various parties and regions.

Evgeny Minchenko, Director of the International Institute of Policy Expertise, noted in his opening remarks that the legislation has a number of troubling points. “Today it is critically important for the executive branch to have a clear and unified position with regard to the legislation and amendments by deputies,” Minchenko said.

Stanislav Naumov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, said that the legislation originated from a conflict situation concerning trade on retail markets, and he believes that the legislation should be adopted.

Alexander Borisov, Chairman of the Trade Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, disagreed, saying that the law is needed, “but not this law and not now”. He suggested that relations between producers and processing companies should be regulated through the Civil Code and nit via federal legislation.

Valery Khaikin, Chairman of the Expert Council for Social Programs for the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Volga Federal District, noted that the law should be focused on the turnover of goods and not services. Other experts also expressed their concerns over the legislations form and content.

INSOR will compile a report summarizing the experts’ commentary on the legislation and send it to interested organizations and offices.