Page 111 - RusRPTMay20

Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency (​Rosturizm​) wants to help the industry recover from the coronavirus crisis by relaxing visa rules after the country reopens its borders​, RBC ​reported​ on April 24. According to the agency’s recommendations cited by the news website, Russia should introduce multiple-entry tourist visas valid for up to five years in order to offset heavy losses sustained by all parts of the travel and tourism industry amid the coronavirus lockdowns. The country has grounded international flights, closed border crossings, and suspended issuing visas and e-visas last month as the country began to see a surge in COVID-19 cases. Rosturizm warns that the measures will lead to “colossal losses for the economy” of at least 300 billion rubles ($4 billion) per quarter. Current rules only allow single- and double-entry visas valid for up to 30 days for tourists.
The agency also seeks to cut visa processing time down to three business days​. Current tourist visa holders who were unable to travel to Russia due to coronavirus-related restrictions should be able to re-apply for new visas free of charge, according to Rosturizm’s reported recommendations. Additionally, the agency wants to extend proposed e-visas, which are due to take effect on Jan. 1, 2021, from 16 days to 90-120 days and make them multiple-entry. The measures could not only help restore but also increase inbound tourism by up to 30% compared to pre-crisis levels in 2021, Rosturizm’s chief Zarina Doguzova was cited as saying. Tourists around the world have frequently cited difficulties with obtaining visas as a barrier to visiting Russia.
9.1.10 ​Utilities & Renewables sector news
Russian businesses have asked the government to suspend its enforcement of environmental regulations during the coronavirus pandemic​, the Kommersant business daily ​reported​ Tuesday. The Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) warned that existing regulations would lead to an “uncontrolled spread of the disease,” according to RSPP chief Alexander Shokhin’s April 15 letter to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin cited by Kommersant. Its 73-point list reportedly includes requests to halt environmental supervision, to eliminate industrial pollution fines and to push back new permits and payments until next year. Last fall, the RSPP successfully lobbied the government to drastically ​water down​ its package of climate change legislation that was due to be part of Russia’s ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement. Experts and fellow business leaders have warned against easing environmental regulations.
Roscongress that organises Russia’s annual St Petersburg Investment forum, held a virtual round table on the effect of COVID-19 on Russian utilities on 17 April​. Presenters included Deputy Minister of Energy Evgeny Grabchak and the Head of the Generators Council, the deputy CEO of InerRAO Alexandra Panina, as well as other participants. The key messages are as follows.
Demand: ​Electricity demand is recovering, being -3.5% y/y from the beginning of social distancing. Meanwhile the demand of households in Moscow and the Moscow region has increased 10-15%.,
Prices: ​RSV prices have been under pressure due to a demand slide;
111​ RUSSIA Country Report​ May 2020 ​ ​www.intellinews.com