Russia continues to attract foreign capital, but is introducing new rules for transactions in the commodity sector. Now investments by foreign companies in a number of strategically important fields will require mandatory prior approval. This decision is aimed at protecting national interests while maintaining the investment attractiveness of key industries.
The main focus will be on monitoring transactions involving the acquisition by foreigners of shares, shares or property in fields with large reserves. Subsoil areas containing primary gold from 30 tons, copper from 300 thousand tons, as well as deposits of diamonds, lithium, and platinum group metals fall under special control. Projects related to rare earth metals of the yttrium group, nickel, cobalt, tantalum, niobium and beryllium will also be subject to careful consideration. All such transactions must be approved by the government’s Foreign Investment Review Commission.
Experts note that these measures will not stop the influx of capital, but will make it more transparent and manageable. It is expected that the total volume of foreign investment in the Russian economy in 2025 could reach 5-6 trillion rubles. A significant part of these funds – about a third – will be allocated under contracts with China, India, Mongolia and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The mining, energy, logistics and tourism industries remain priorities for joint work.
Thus, Russia seeks to find a balance between openness to international business and protection of its strategic resources. The new rules create a clear framework for foreign investors wishing to operate in the commodity sector, minimizing possible risks to national economic security. This helps maintain the investment climate by ensuring close attention to the country’s most important assets.
The material was prepared with the support of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology. Source: @nerzhavey
