Foreign makers of hygiene goods, household chemicals not to leave

MOSCOW, Mar 23 (PRIME) -- Foreign producers of personal hygiene products, goods for children, and household chemicals have no plans to stop production in Russia, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on Wednesday during a government meeting chaired by President Vladimir Putin.

“International producers that have production facilities in Russia have no plans to stop them and lose their share,” he said.

More than 70% of all sanitary, hygiene, and cosmetic goods for children are produced in Russia, as well as 84% of household chemicals. Even if a small amount of imported goods vanishes from the market, the Russian and localized foreign producers will be able to replace them, Manturov said.

The stock reserves of the most essential non-food goods are returning to their usual level, the stock of personal hygiene products, goods for children, and household chemicals ranges from two weeks to three months, he said.

The ministry also sees no panic buying of clothes and shoes in Russia, but the authority plans to support national productions and clothing brands, he said.

He said that the growth of prices for household appliances and electronic goods was somewhat restricted due to the fact that the Russian retailers have a 1.5–3 month stocks of the goods.

“If we speak about durable goods, about 90% of household appliances and electronics … are assembled here with varying degrees of localization. The stock of ready-made goods ranges from one and a half to two months… The stock of component parts stands at several months allows the producers to somewhat smooth the growth of prices,” he said.

Friendly countries are the main suppliers of household appliances to Russia, and they are interested in continuing the supplies, he said, adding that foreign companies that have assembly lines in Russia also have no plans to leave the country.

Healthcare Minister Mikhail Murashko said that there is no need for Russians to create stocks of medical goods and medicines in their households. Producers and distributors have no problems with production or reserves of goods, and medicines are being delivered to pharmacy chains in full, he said.

He also said that prices for life-saving medicines are fixed, and that they may change only due to objective reasons.

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