[cooperation-wg] Big step forward at discussions of WTO

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   Patrik

Russia to cancel licensing of imported IT product, zero out duties - WTO

GENEVA. (Interfax) - In the context of its accession to the World Trade Organization, Russia will remove restrictions on imported digital (cryptographic) equipment, and will also zero out import duties on high-tech goods.

Licensing will not be need for dozens more products with cryptography, including wireless communications devices, electronic digital signatures, and smart cards, a WTO statement says.

There will be no new restrictions, including expert evaluation, approval and licensing, the statement says. For devices for which the licensing of their import is retained, the procedures will be done only once.

The rules for bringing digital devices into the Customs Union were integrated at the beginning of last year. Since then, importers have been obligated to obtain licensing or do notification of each model (cellphone, laptop computers, and so on) that supports cryptography. The notifica-tion is done by the producer of certain devices at Russia's Center for Licensing, and certification and the protection of state secrets by the FSB. Receiving licensing is not to take more than ninety days.