Matviyenko wants excise duty on all Russia-made ethyl alcohol

MOSCOW, Jul 4 (PRIME) -- Russia needs to impose excise duties on all locally-produced ethyl alcohol with subsidies for medical facilities, Chairwoman of Russia’s Federation Council, parliament’s upper house, Valentina Matviyenko said during a meeting of the chamber with the government on Tuesday.

“We need to introduce excise duties on all ethanol produced in Russia, to level up the difference with cheap ethyl alcohol used for illegal vodka manufacturing. And the excise duty on the alcohol bought by medical facilities should be subsidized by the government,” she said.

Matviyenko added that presently there is an excise only on the ethanol produced for alcoholic drinks, and the ethanol for the medical and perfumery industries is tax-free.

“As a result, the prices for these two identical products differ by over 80%,” she said.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin promised to consider the suggestion.

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