Russia’s Finance Ministry tightens rules for foreign firms exiting the country

The Russian Finance Ministry has tightened the rules for foreign companies withdrawing from the country, meaning that firms exiting Russia will receive just 5% of the market value of any assets sold, state-affiliated business daily Kommersant reported on Thursday.

Vladimir Putin ordered that rules governing the sale of assets by foreign companies be changed on 2 October, according to Kommersant. Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov subsequently issued the new rules for businesses planning to withdraw from the Russian market on 9 October.

The new rules also raise the “voluntary” contribution to the Russian budget to be made by foreign companies selling assets from 15% to 35% of their market value, while any transaction in excess of 50 billion rubles (€478 million) will now also require Putin’s personal approval before it can proceed.

The authorities will also now force foreign business owners to provide buyers in Russia with a discount of at least 60% of the market value of assets, up from the previous 50%. The combined result of the new rules mean that foreign companies selling assets in Russia will receive only 5% of their market value, according to Kommersant.