Experts say Microsoft appreciates Russian market, wants to return

MOSCOW, Apr 28 (PRIME) -- The Russian market is important for U.S. company Microsoft that hopes to return after leaving it more than a year ago, experts told PRIME on Friday.

“There is no doubt that many global businesses, including Microsoft, would like to get back to the Russian market and will do so as soon as the political opportunities are created,” MForum Analytics analyst Alexei Boiko said.

Business daily Kommersant said that some Russian representative offices of international companies have received letters or verbal offers from Microsoft to continue cooperation since the beginning of the year.

Boiko said the Russian market is “important to Microsoft like any relatively large market where the number of buyers of the company’s products counts tens of millions.”

Mobile Research Group leading analyst Eldar Murtazin agreed that Microsoft does not want to lose the Russian market. “They extend licenses, work with companies and found a way to accept payments, including via partners,” he said.

Microsoft said it will withdraw from Russia in March 2022 and paused sales and services in the country.

End