On 16 December 2024, the Resolution of the Russian Government No. 1772 of 13.12.2024 (“Resolution No. 1772”) was officially published, containing amendments to the Rules for the Issuance of permits by the Government Commission for Control over Foreign Investments in the Russian Federation under “countersanctions” Presidential Decrees established by the Resolution of the Russian Government No. 295 of 06.03.2022 (“Rules”).

On 5 December 2024 the results of the annual Pravo-300 law firms’ ranking were announced at an awarding ceremony at The Carlton Hotel in Moscow. This year Lidings expertise is highly praised in 17 key practice areas.

Lidings’ Corporate and M&A practice team has successfully concluded its advisory role for the owners of Autotechinmash LLC, the largest auto dealer of Belarusian cars, in restructuring of the company’s founding team.

It has been reported in public sources that the Sub-Commission of the Government Commission for Control of Foreign Investments in the Russian Federation (the “Sub-Commission”), which issues permits for the sale of Russian assets by companies from ‘unfriendly’ countries, has decided to tighten the conditions for the exit of foreign companies from the Russian market.

Russia and the Gulf countries continue to deepen economic cooperation, which becomes especially important against the backdrop of sanctions restrictions. The Russian-Gulf Business Forum: New Ties, New Opportunities (took place in Moscow on 24 September 2024) provided an opportunity for a comprehensive discussion of both business prospects and legal issues related to the activities of Russian companies in the region.

Highlights of the event in our report.

On September 24, 2024, Moscow hosted the Russian-Gulf Business Forum: New Connections, New Opportunities, a central platform for exploring business prospects in the Gulf. The event highlighted new avenues for collaboration and showcased the commitment of key market players to deepen ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.

On 8 August Federal Law No. 300-FZ came into force, introducing a number of amendments to legislation, the most important of which affect regulation of economically significant organizations (hereinafter – “ESO”). Read more about the status of ESO in our updates as of 4 August 2023.

On 8 August 2024, the Arbitration Court of the Moscow Region satisfied the claim of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade against foreign company – Besloten Vennootschap Megapolis Distribution B.V. (distributor of Japan Tobacco, Phillip Morris, Red Bull, Durex and other brands) for suspension of its corporate rights in an economically significant organization (hereinafter – “ESO”) JSC “Megapolis Trade Company”.

On 8 August 2024, federal laws introducing a number of changes to the regulation of Russian LLC and JSC activities were published: Federal Law No. 305-FZ dated 08.08.2024 “On Amendments to Articles 48 and 66 of the Federal Law “On Joint Stock Companies” and Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (hereinafter – “Law No. 305”) and Federal Law No. 287-FZ dated 08.08.2024 “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Joint Stock Companies” and Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (hereinafter – “Law No. 287”).

On 9 July 2024, the State Duma passed Bill No. 638771-8 “On Introduction of the Draft Federal Law ’On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation’” (the “Bill”) in first reading, which focuses on changes in the regulatory regime for the circulation of dietary supplements in Russia.

The proposed amendments would introduce significant changes affecting the circulation of dietary supplements and, to a certain extent, bringing it closer to the regime established for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.