Page 86 - RusRPTJuly18

that the forecasts could recover towards the harvesting season counterbalanced by higher crop yields.
9.1.7 TMT sector news
The amount of pirated software used in Russia in 2016-2017 declined by 2pp to its lowest level since 2013 , but illegal software remains installed on two thirds (62%) of all devices, Vedomosti daily said on June 20 citing a study by Business Software Alliance (BSA).
The number of new Russian internet platforms that accept online payments in 2017 increased by 7% to 0.124mn , according to the study by Marc research company cited by Vedomosti d aily. This makes a notable slowdown from 36% growth seen in 2016 as the market reaches saturation.
The Federal Customs Service (FTS) will introduce a levy on any purchases in foreign online stores and delivered to Russia starting in 2020, Vedomosti daily said on June 17 citing two unnamed sources with knowledge of FTS proposal to the Finance Ministry. Russian e-commerce is dominated by cross The Federal Customs Service (FTS) will introduce a levy on any purchases in foreign online stores and delivered to Russia starting in 2020, Vedomosti daily said on June 17 citing two unnamed sources with knowledge of FTS proposal to the Finance Ministry. Russian e-commerce is dominated by cross-border trade, which beat the 13% market growth and expanded by 24% in 2017, while domestic online shopping lagged behind with 8% growth. In monetary terms Russians e-shopped the most in China (53%), the EU (22%), and US (12%). The move could reportedly bring RUB25bn ($0.4bn) to Russian budget annually and make local e-commerce more competitive. Currently foreign online purchases of less than €1,000 per one consumer or below 31kg in weight are not taxed.
Russia’s PC sales are growing at their fastest pace in the last five years . The personal computer market expanded by a quarter (27.3%) in January-March 2018, with 1.2mn PCs sold, Vedomosti daily said on May 31 citing IDC research company. Notably, the growth was mostly attributed to note books, which boosted the sales by 45% to 0.86mn devices in the first quarter, while the sales of desktop PCs slipped by 0.7% to 0.37mn. The PC market resumed its growth in the fourth quarter of 2016 posting 4.2% y/y growth and reached double-digit numbers already in the following quarter. IDC attributes the market expansion to growing incomes and delayed demand on PC due to switch from Windows 7 to Windows 10 operating system. Analysts and retailers surveyed by Vedomosti confirmed the trend and noted that the niches growing faster than the market are powerful note books for gaming and cybersports, as well as ultra-thin mobile devices.
Russian Helicopters industrial complex will invest RUB300mn ($5mn) in the Skolkovo Ventures venture fund , Vedomosti daily said on June 1 citing the parties. The two will also organise a joint accelerator for start-ups helping innovators learn to work with industrial majors and reach the market quicker. Most recently Russian Helicopters said it increased its deliveries by 17% in 2017 selling 221 machines, making the first increase in sales in five years . The company was sanctioned in October 2017 by the US Treasury along with other 33 defence industry-related companies and state security and technology agencie s. Russian Helicopters is interested in bringing the products of
RUSSIA Country Report July 2018 www.intellinews.com