Russia's lower chamber of parliament (the State Duma) has passed in the second reading the bill “On amendments into federal law “On special economic zones in RF” and separate legislative acts of RF” related to the creation of special economic port zones.
According to this bill the special economic port zones will be created at the territories of sea (river) ports, open for international transport and calls of the foreign vessels; at the territories of airports, open for airplanes performing international air transportation and also at the territories, assigned for construction of sea (river) port, airport.
The document sets the limits for the area of a special economic port zone. It should be not more than 50 sq. km. The zone can be expanded by RF Government decree.
The term of functioning of zones has been increased up to 49 years. As it is specified in the bill this term can’t be prolonged.
This bill sets the requirements to the residents of these port zones. In particular, if the agreement on activities in special economic port zones presupposes the construction and reconstruction of the port infrastructure, the resident is obliged to make the investments into infrastructure of a new sea port in amount not less than 100 mln. Euro; into infrastructure of new river port or airport not less than 50 mln. Euro; into reconstruction of the existing ports not less than 3 mln. Euro.
Also the bill establishes the liability of the resident of the port zone to provide to the Custom authorities the securing of payment of custom duties in amount not less than: 10 mln. rubles for the residents involved in the port activities related to the warehousing, storage, open and wholesale trade of non-excisable goods or mineral raw materials; 30 mln. rubles for the residents involved in the port activities related to the warehousing, storage, wholesale and open trade of the goods, including excisable goods or mineral raw materials; 2.5 mln. rubles for the residents involved in the other port activities.
