Territory of Free Port Vladivostok can obtain visa-free status
The territory of the Free Port Vladivostok is supposed to be granted a visa-free status, press center of Primorsk Territory authorities says.
“Vladivostok – Free Port” seminar has been held today, on March 4, under the Legislation Assembly of the Primorsk Territory. It involved the representatives of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, regional authorities, business and expert community representatives.
Draft Law “On Free Port Vladivostok” was presented by Pavel Volkov, Counsellor of the Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East. He noted that the Ministry has elaborated three draft laws related to the port itself and to the required amendments into the federal tax legislation.
The Free Port is to include 7 territories of Primorye: Vladivostok, Artyem, Nadezhdinsky and Shkotovsky districts as well as territories crossed by international transport corridors Primorye-1 and Primorye-2, that are Partizansky, Pogranichny and Khasansky districts.
The Free Port is to consist of specialized territories (port, industry, tourism etc.).
The Free Port residents are to be extensively supported by the state through introduction of reduced rental payments, profit tax etc. Consolidated 10-pct income tax is among the proposals.
To facilitate the development of international trade the bill suggests introduction of a 72-hour visa free regime. Foreign citizens without visas are to be allowed to enter the country via an international airport of Vladivostok and seaports included into the Free Port territory and leave Russia via any border checkpoint.
‘Free Port’ business model has been presented by Aleksandr Abramov, Director General of the Far Eastern Federal University’s Center for Russia’s economic development and integration with APR. According to him, if the Free Port has not only transport and logistic functions but also production and wholesale components, the territory’s final contribution to the Gross Regional Product will make up to 34%.
The project was extensively discussed at the seminar. Experts suggest that the visa-free period should be expanded from 72 hours to 7 days and more.
Experts, regional authorities and the Legislation Assembly are to forward their proposals on the Free Port project within the 10-day period.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called on granting “free port” status to Vladivostok during his Annual Address to the Federal Assembly of Russia On December 4, 2014. This means setting of special customs regulations similar to those provided for Crimean ports.
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