We do not see any significant changes. Today, 84% of entrepreneurs believe that doing business is a dangerous thing, that <...> administrative pressure is increasing. Nearly 50% believe that it is growing. <...> The number of fines has increased. Liability, financial responsibility of entrepreneurs has increased dramatically, and today it is <...> nearly 150 billion roubles. <...> The decision of the Russian President that warnings should be used as the first measure to penalize businesses, works in virtually no agencies [with the exception of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, – Ed.] — Boris Titov, Presidential Commissioner of the Russian Federation for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights.
The criminal process is still a problem. <...> If a criminal case is initiated, 135 people, on average, lose their jobs in a company. Each criminal case is not only a shock to the entrepreneur, it is a shock to the people who work for the enterprise — Boris Titov, Presidential Commissioner of the Russian Federation for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights.
Experts <...> note that in recent years <...> factors affecting the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Russian jurisdiction <...> are rather in the context of criminal, rather than economic disputes — Boris Boltyanskiy, Editor-in-Chief, Pravo.ru.
According to the Supreme Court, the number of lawsuits in arbitrations is growing by more than 10% annually. <...> Disputes with government agencies drive the growth. <...> Just in the first quarter of 2019, the amounts of lawsuits to government bodies increased by 42% year over year. That is combined with a with a known background problem: the so-called pro-budget orientation of the courts — Boris Boltyanskiy, Editor-in-Chief, Pravo.ru.
Many risks are directly related to the rule of law. This is a big restriction for international investors. <...> Many clients do not want to trade in countries, including Russia — Giovanni Salvetti, Managing Director, Head of Russia & CIS, Rothschild.
The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of nationwide and international conventions; exhibitions; and business, public, youth, sporting, and cultural events. It was established in pursuance of a decision by the President of the Russian Federation.
The Foundation was established in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic potential, promoting its national interests, and strengthening the country’s image. One of the roles of the Foundation is to comprehensively evaluate, analyse, and cover issues on the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative services, provides promotional support for business projects and attracting investment, helps foster social entrepreneurship and charitable initiatives.
Each year, the Foundation’s events draw participants from 208 countries and territories, with more than 15,000 media representatives working on-site at Roscongress’ various venues. The Foundation benefits from analytical and professional expertise provided by 5,000 people working in Russia and abroad.
The Foundation works alongside various UN departments and other international organizations, and is building multi-format cooperation with 166 economic partners, including industrialists’ and entrepreneurs’ unions, financial, trade, and business associations from 76 countries worldwide, and 154 Russian public organizations, federal and legislative agencies, and federal subjects.
The Roscongress Foundation has Telegram channels in Russian t.me/Roscongress, English – t.me/RoscongressDirect, and Spanish t.me/RoscongressEsp. Official website and Information and Analytical System of the Roscongress Foundation: roscongress.org.