Russia does not intend to lower import tariffs after accession to WTO

Russia has no intention of lowering tariffs on imported goods after its accession to the WTO. This was announced today by Anna Sidoruk, an international trade specialist at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. She did not give an exact figure but said that import tariffs will be 'no lower than they are at present.'

Mrs Sidoruk said that negotiations on Russia's accession to the WTO are nearing completion. However, she also said that 'some problems still have to be resolved.' This includes quotas on national agricultural producers, WTO demands for the equalization of domestic and export energy prices, difficulties supporting the domestic car manufacturing industry and agricultural technology as well as foreigners' access to Russian banking services and the mass media.