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Protection for Russia, Belarus

The value of bids for state contracts by Russian and Belarussian companies will be considered 15 percent less than those from other companies, according to an order by the Economic Development Ministry published Tuesday on the ministry's website, Prime reported.

The adjustment will be made on contracts for a limited but broad list of products, including cars, car parts, medical equipment, televisions, clothing, shoes, fur, sugar, live animals and pork products. The policy will be in effect until the end of the year.

Last week, Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina said at a meeting with President-elect Vladimir Putin that the order is intended to ease the effects of Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization on domestic businesses.

(MT)

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