A working meeting between the head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia Maxim Shaskolsky and the founder and CEO of the Russian online retailer Wildberries Tatyana Bakalchuk took place at the agency’s site. A number of issues were discussed at the meeting, including the topic of legalization of parallel imports in Russia.

“The legalization of parallel imports in the current environment will help increase the number of business entities importing goods to Russia. This will make it possible to saturate the domestic market with goods that consumers need,” said Maxim Shaskolsky, head of the FAS Russia.

He also noted that the agency consistently supports the implementation of this measure and at present the FAS Russia has sent a relevant draft resolution to the Government.

The department believes that parallel imports will solve the problems of price, quality and assortment discrimination by right holders against Russian consumers, as well as manifestations of various forms of unfair competition on the part of official distributors of goods against importers.

“The FAS initiative to allow parallel imports will become an effective measure to support both Russian consumers and entrepreneurs. Small and medium-sized businesses will be able to legally import foreign goods without additional permits, and consumers will have access to a wider range of high-quality goods at reasonable prices. This is especially important for socially important goods such as medicines, food and children's products,” said Tatyana Bakalchuk.

Representatives of the FAS Russia noted that after the adoption of the resolution, the agency will hold a series of working meetings with the main Russian marketplaces and the business community.