ALEXANDER KNOBEL: “SAMSUNG’S RETURN TO THE RUSSIAN MARKET IS HIGHLY LIKELY”

In his op-ed for “Davydov.Index”, Alexander Knobel, Head of the International Trade Department of the Gaidar Institute, expressed an opinion that Samsung would return to the Russian market before 2023.

“Citing their sources, the Russian mass media have reported more than once that Samsung is going to return to the Russian market. In my view, it is highly likely. Samsung may decide to return. What may stand behind such an intention? Probably, Samsung’s business plans play the major role in this decision-making.

Could the Russian government’s decision to allow parallel imports have an impact on Samsung’s position? I think, not. Actually, the utilization of parallel imports, on the contrary, has given Samsung an alternative not to return. With introduction of parallel imports, Samsung could maintain sales in Russia at the previous level via indirect schemes by bringing its products to Russia through Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Belarus and Armenia.

Overall, if the company returns to Russia (physically or as an online shop), it will explicitly mean that Samsung is prepared to work in Russia and make profits here.”