The EU extended sanctions against the Russian Federation, car dealers began to import cars through parallel imports: the main thing February 21

World

• The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia until the end of February 2024. The sanctions were introduced in 2014 after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, they were extended after the Russian Federation launched a special operation in Ukraine.

• The 2007 first-generation iPhone sold at auction for more than $63,000. After the phone had been collecting dust on the shelf for more than 15 years, its owner decided to host an auction at LCG Auctions.

Russia

• The Russian government has approved a list of countries whose citizens can obtain a tourist visa for up to six months based on a hotel reservation. The list of 19 countries includes India, Turkey, Iran, Mexico and others.
• Already on Wednesday, February 22, the Cabinet of Ministers of Russia may consider amendments to the Criminal Code, mitigating penalties for tax crimes, Kommersant learned. The bill provides for the prohibition to initiate or continue criminal proceedings if the employer has paid fines or arrears. Likewise, the imputation period for some articles is reduced.

Finance

• The Indian regulator allowed Russia’s first company to carry out stock trading: on February 13, it registered Alfa Capital Management Company as a foreign portfolio investor, writes RBC.

• Large car dealers began importing cars into Russia through parallel imports for resale to other companies. According to Vedomosti, the market considers this business model to be beneficial for all participants in the process.
• Manufacturers of electronic products in the Russian Federation asked to introduce tariffs on the import of smart cards in the amount of 100%. They worry that the current zero tariffs will encourage imports at the expense of local factories.
• At the end of 2022, the volume of furniture exports from Russia fell 39% year-on-year, to 29.5 billion rubles. As a result, Russian furniture manufacturers lost about 18 billion rubles from reduced exports of products abroad, Kommersant writes.

• The Central Bank recommended that Russian banks reduce or cancel the commission for transactions with the accounts of military personnel participating in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. The benefits must also apply to their family members.

Services

• VKontakte released a messenger for PC. The beta version of the app is now available for Windows and MacOS. The updated messenger interface offers new features.

• The Ministry of Digital Development has launched an email for children. The Service is intended for users under the age of 14. Email automatically blocks spam and unwanted content. Also, the child will not be able to view emails from unknown senders without parental approval.