Program

Issues: One of the basic principles of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is the free movement of goods, services, capital and labor. The basic provisions of the Treaty on EAEU are designed to ensure the free movement of goods without the use of customs administration and additional fiscal burden; removal of barriers in the trade of states aimed at effective use of the advantages of the international division of labor. This objective can be achieved only on the baseline of laws and regulations harmonization, the creation of a single area in the field of tax, technical, sanitary and veterinary regulation. In this regard, the harmonization of legislation in the field of excisable goods regulation is a logical and proper approach. It will reduce illegal market and will create equal competitive conditions for manufacturers of all EAEU states.

Topics for discussion:

1. What is the optimal scenario for the excise harmonization and how many years will it take to transform the economies of these countries into a new reality?
2. Minimum rates, indicative corridor, single rate for all EAEU countries — what approach is preferable?
3. Will the use of common approaches in excise policy on the territory of the EAEU allow growing free trade if residents of all countries have equal conditions for doing business?
4. Can harmonization become a tool to combat illegal «overflows» of excisable goods?

Moderators:

Sergey Shatalov, Head of projects, Center for strategic research, Ex-Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation

Vladlen Maksimov, President, Association of Small-format Trade, Co-Chairman of the Committee of OPORA of Russia on excisable goods

Speakers:

Yevgeny Bushmin, Deputy Chairman, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Nikita Kuznetsov, Head of the department for development of domestic trade, digital labelling system and legalization of goods trafficking, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation

Aida Abarbekova, Deputy Head of financial policy department, Eurasian Economic Commission

Nurmatbek Mambetaliyev, Head of tax policy division, Financial policy department, Eurasian Economic Commission

Nadezhda Pochekunina, Advisor of tax policy division, Financial policy department, Eurasian Economic Commission

Aleksey Popovichev, Director, RusBrand

Oleg Barvin, Head of Regulatory Affairs, BAT, Saint Petersburg

Sergey Golovko, Vice-President for Corporate Affairs and Communications, JTI Russia

Vasily Gruzdev, Head of Government Affairs, JTI Russia

Irina Fedorova, Senior Director for Government Affairs, Eastern Europe Region, Baltika Breweries, CarlsbergGroup

Igor Kosarev, President, Union of Alcohol Manufacturers (SPAP)

Sergey Slipchenko, General Director, Philip Morris Sales and Marketing