MOSCOW - The Russian government has sanctioned OJSC Russian Railways (RZD) to create a chain of duty free stores at railway stations in Russia.
An order issued by the Cabinet of Ministers, which adds to the roster of operations, which can be implemented at railway stations, was signed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on April 5.
RZD’s head of railway stations, Sergei Abramov, announced the company’s plans in March to develop duty free stores at Russia’s stations starting this year.
Abramov said that first of these stores might be opened in Finland Station in St. Petersburg. More duty-free stores might be opened at rail stations from where international routes originate.
He said that 30 such projects might be implemented. Abramov added that the projects would be realized using funds from private investors and RZD’s partners. "There are quite a lot of proposals. There will be a tender," he said.
Duty free stores have been only previously allowed at automobile, airport, sea and river points on Russia’s state borders.
