Russian Prime Minister speaks about restrictions on foreign car imports

While speaking at a news briefing in Kaluga (centre of the Kaluga region south-west off Moscow) Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov reaffirmed that introduction of higher duties on the import of foreign-made cars, as well as other import restrictions, would be possible only when the domestic car demand was satisfied by the national motor-car industry.

Kasyanov stated that before introducing import restrictions "we have to be confident that we have similar quality cars being manufactured in this country." According to him, problems of the Russian motor-car industry "should not be solved at the expense of consumers." In reply to a question regarding critical comments made by President Vladimir Putin in regard to the government's insufficient efforts to support the motor-car industry the prime-minister said that the draft concept of automobile industry development "is being considered by the government." The premier emphasized that "he was interested in getting the concept approved as quickly as possible." According to him, "the concept of development of the national automobile industry should take into account such issues as provision of investment incentives, ecological regulations, which would include a ban on cars with engines not corresponding to European standards."