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- "We are already discussing the implementation of the Mir map with Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia"
"We are already discussing the implementation of the Mir map with Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia"
In a couple of weeks, it will become clear in which countries Russians will be able to pay with the Mir card without unnecessary difficulties. Negotiations on its implementation are underway with some of the most popular tourist destinations — Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. This was stated by Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in an interview with Izvestia at the SPIEF. But the international business agenda is not limited to this.: Foreign companies, including those from the United States, continue to be interested in returning to our market. How entrepreneurs are coping with the new wave of tension in the Middle East and why they are wary of the digital ruble — in an interview with Izvestia.
"All banks are trying to reach the international level"
— At the WEF-2025, you told us that most of the 10 ASEAN countries are ready to accept Mir cards and are interested in increasing the tourist flow. Who is discussing this? At what stage of the discussion?
— We are already discussing the implementation of the Mir map with Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. It is premature to say that we are already at the finish line. But at least there is such a conversation going on.
Unlike countries where Mir maps work fully, there are states where their use is limited. For example, somewhere you can withdraw money, but you can't pay for purchases, and somewhere, on the contrary, you can pay, but you can't withdraw cash.
Therefore, both we and the host have an interest in making the cards work properly. It is clear that the more convenient the payment infrastructure, the more money tourists leave during their holidays. We are famous all over the world for having the most expensive tourist — he leaves the most money when he comes on vacation.
It is too early to make any predictions, but I hope that this issue will be resolved in the near future. The Russia–ASEAN Forum will be held in Kazan this year. I think that after it it will be possible to talk more precisely about what stage the work is at.
— What are the main barriers to implementing this program?
— First of all, we are talking about barriers related to sanctions, both primary and secondary. Naturally, banks are afraid of such restrictions.
And this applies not only to bank cards. In general, we are talking about many issues related to financing and cooperation with foreign financial organizations. Now there are practically no banks left that would operate only in some limited space. All banks are trying to reach the international level.
And at the global level, the threat of secondary sanctions is already becoming a risk directly to businesses and banks. Therefore, everyone is trying to arrange their work in such a way as to minimize possible damage in the event of restrictions.
"If a company has nothing to do with oil and gas, then it has nothing to compensate for losses due to the Middle East conflict."
— Since the end of February, a new round of conflict has been flaring up in the Persian Gulf. How has this situation already affected Russian business? What are the threats?
— As it often happens, there are two sides to the coin, and in this case the situation is the same. The conflict has led to an increase in the prices of oil, gas and other energy resources. At some points, the price of raw materials rose above $100 per barrel, now it is lower. However, many assume that if the conflict continues, the quotes may approach this mark again. In this regard, Russian companies engaged in the export of energy resources receive additional income.
On the other hand, the situation is detrimental to enterprises operating in international markets. For example, logistics is slowing down. We trade not only in oil and gas, but also in container shipments to Russia, and various goods are supplied.
Secondly, it is more sad here, because the cost of freight is changing, and cargo insurance is noticeably more expensive. As a result, logistics costs become a serious burden on enterprises.
It is difficult to make any estimates now - each company's situation develops in its own way. If a company has nothing to do with oil and gas, then it has nothing to compensate for losses due to the Middle East conflict: it incurs losses due to the rise in logistics prices.
"Business's attitude to the introduction of the digital ruble is cautious"
— The burden on business is also coming from the Central Bank. At the end of March, Elvira Nabiullina stated that the mass introduction of the digital ruble from September 1, 2026, would not affect citizens: the procedure would affect only banks and retail and service enterprises. Are companies ready for this? Will you ask for a postponement? Do you see any risks in this?
— There are things whose consequences can be calculated quite accurately. In such cases, it is indeed possible to say that it is dangerous to move in one direction or another. For example, discussions are currently underway around electronic waybills. It is clear that their widespread implementation, especially in rural areas, raises big questions. Here, the possible consequences are easily predicted.
But there are also things that are not predictable. It seems to me that the Central Bank is moving quite carefully on this issue.: first, a limited number of banks, then large companies that will implement the digital ruble.
Therefore, the attitude of business towards the introduction of the digital ruble is cautious. I cannot say that it is unequivocally negative or, on the contrary, exclusively positive.
Companies do not yet fully understand exactly how the digital ruble will work, what advantages it will provide and what difficulties may arise, and what the results of its implementation will be. Especially considering that companies that will work with the digital ruble interact primarily with people, and citizens have not yet started using this tool en masse.
— How will it work?
— Questions, of course, arise. For example, businesses are trying to figure out how the work will be structured. Therefore, the attitude remains quite cautious for now.
At the same time, I want to emphasize that companies have neither unequivocal rejection nor unconditional delight in the digital ruble. Rather, we are talking about a balanced and cautious approach.
I think that when practical work begins and it becomes clear how the digital ruble functions, both for companies and banks, as well as for citizens, then it will be possible to draw more definite conclusions and formulate specific proposals.
— Will its implementation help to whitewash the economy?
— I think so. After all, we are not the first and, I believe, not the last to develop such a form of currencies. There is already a digital yuan. As far as I know, India has also been involved in this area. Many states are thinking about this.
They also look at this from the point of view of the possibilities of exchanging digital currencies in international relations. Our foreign colleagues already have some experience that can be studied. Therefore, we will look and draw conclusions.
"It's premature to say that someone is going to return to the Russian market en masse."
— The possibility of the return of foreign companies to Russia is still being discussed. Are there any real applications already? What industries and countries are these companies from? Won't this undermine import substitution efforts, which have already invested a lot of money?
— When the government and business associations called on companies to actively engage in import substitution, create production facilities and conditions so that the country would not be left without the necessary components, services and technologies, business immediately asked a logical question: "Okay, we will invest now, we will begin to develop these areas. What happens if the companies that ran away come back tomorrow? You will accept them again, and by that time we will not even have time to recoup our investments. What will you do with us?"
In my opinion, it is premature to say that someone is going to return to the Russian market en masse. Consultations are really underway. Including through our foreign representatives, we have representatives in about 40 countries. Through them, companies and their representatives probe the situation, trying to understand how events can develop and under what conditions this can happen.
— And which countries are receiving more such probes now?
— For example, the United States. I recently met with Robert Agee, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, and entrepreneurs from the United States in Dubai. Not only with those who work here — and we have more than a thousand such companies — but also with those who are still probing the situation.: how it will be, how you can return or enter the market.
As we have said many times, we need to look at how foreign companies left and what damage they caused to the Russian economy. If the departure was more loyal — many companies tried to transfer the business to Russian managers so that they could continue their activities — then perhaps they should have a softer entry with minimal financial, moral and organizational costs.
"Non-payments from large companies remain a problem for small businesses"
— On October 1, 2025, credit holidays for SMEs and the self-employed were launched in Russia. How often do banks refuse to provide vacations to businesses? Is it possible to say that because of this, the mechanism does not fully work? In your opinion, how should the mechanism be improved?
— First of all, this is a very working mechanism, and we naturally advocate its extension, both now and in the future. It is clear that banks may not really want to provide such holidays, but it is important for us to preserve companies and jobs.
Most borrowers prefer to restructure loans and postpone debt repayment periods. But not everywhere it goes smoothly — entrepreneurs complain that some banks arrange all sorts of intrigues. They don't officially seem to refuse, but they demand to provide additional documents and prove certain circumstances.
There is a wish that all banks take the same approach to the implementation of this mechanism. If there is a decision at the government level, then it should be implemented by all participants uniformly, without additional interpretations.
— The Central Bank reduces the key rate very cautiously. How does Russian business feel about this now? Many business representatives and experts have already explicitly stated their concerns about the hypothermia of the economy. How do you see the situation?
— Yes, I, like many experts, see this situation. Firstly, this decline does not so much affect the economy as such, as it acts as a signal that the Central Bank is basically set to decline. This does not significantly change the market situation yet.
Unfortunately, if we talk about the SME sector, 97% of the surveyed companies are experiencing difficulties in the current conditions. More than 5% of enterprises have already closed their business.
The situation is really difficult. Another problem for small businesses remains non-payments from large companies: small businesses fulfill orders, but sometimes it takes a very long time to pay for an order. At the same time, there are not enough working capital, loans are expensive, and this is becoming a serious blow to such enterprises.
Now the government has created a special headquarters under the leadership of the Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov. Meetings are held weekly, including specific cases of large companies and non-payment volumes. It is important to prevent the situation from developing into an escalating lump.
"There is always a balance: if it is beneficial for some, then for others it is, respectively, a minus"
— In recent months, the ruble has been steadily strengthening. What risks do you see in this?
— A strong ruble means minimizing income from export earnings. If the budget was seriously replenished from a dollar for 100 rubles, now there is a difference with a rate of about 70-75 per dollar. At the same time, I'm not sure that an "American" for 100 rubles is the best option.
— In your opinion, which course is optimal?
— I think it's about 80-85 rubles per dollar. This level may be more suitable for both exporters in terms of revenue generation, and importers as a fairly comfortable purchase rate. Because there is always a balance here: if it is beneficial for some, then for others it is, respectively, a minus.
I think the situation will stabilize to some extent by autumn. Not in the sense of returning to 100 rubles, but perhaps the ruble will weaken a little and approach the level of about 80.
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