Severstal chair doubts idea of deductions for foreign software use

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Jun 2 (PRIME) -- The idea of the Russian government to deduct for the use of foreign software is controversial, Alexei Mordashov, chairman of steelmaker Severstal’s board of directors, told PRIME on Friday.

“In my view, this idea is highly debatable. Its logic is clear -- we all continue to use foreign solutions independently, we do not pay for it, this is why we can be charged. But I do not welcome the idea,” Mordashov said.

“A number of points should be taken into consideration. First, we were deprived of the full support of foreign providers we’ve paid money for. Besides, we are all isolated from a very important resource and suffer from it. We spend now and will spend in the future significant resources on development of own software. It would be incorrect to raise the financial burden on us in such an environment.”

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Thursday the government is considering compulsory deductions from the companies using foreign software to invest the money in support of local developers.

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