OREANDA-NEWS The Russian authorities consider Western companies that have not completely severed ties with the Russian Federation as the first applicants for the return. This was stated by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, quoted by TASS.

We are talking about those foreign companies that continued their business activities in Russia after 2022 through subsidiaries. Thus, Mishustin noted, the heads of such companies showed a responsible approach towards their clients and took care of their employees in the Russian Federation. These companies should be given the opportunity to fully return to the Russian market, the Prime minister stressed.

Mishustin added that after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, a number of Western companies decided to leave the Russian market "under pressure from their governments." At the same time, they retained jobs in the Russian Federation, as well as technology. Despite the financial losses, such companies have reserved the opportunity to return. Such firms should also be given a chance to resume full-fledged activities in the country, Mishustin concluded.

Earlier, the head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sergey Katyrin, proposed introducing separate categories of permits for Western companies wishing to return to Russia. In his opinion, the return procedure should be simplified primarily for firms that have retained their jobs and have not sold their Russian assets.