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As part of the new season of the "V-Kurse-Rublia" podcast, dedicated to key trends in the Russian economy, a discussion on the self-employment regime and its socioeconomic aspects took place. Ekaterina Papchenkova, Director of Center for Evidence-Based-Expertise at the Gaidar Institute, took part in the podcast titled "The number of self-employed in Russia is growing. How will their lives change in the coming years."

Dmitry Evdokimov, Researcher of Quantitative Analysis and Economic Effects Department at the Gaidar Institute, explained in a commentary for Nezavisimaya Gazeta the strategic meaning of the route Vladivostok-Nakhodka-Vostochny Port under construction despite multiple increases in estimated costs and criticism from the Accounts Chamber.

Olga Magomedova, Researcher of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, noted in a commentary for Vedomosti the intensive and qualitative expansion of the Moscow pharmaceutical market. Her assessment of the pharmaceutical industry's development came in the context of the overall growth of the Moscow industry, which, according to the authorities, is supported by government support measures and localization opportunities in special economic zones.

Antonina Levashenko, Head of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, commented for Vedomosti. Sustainable Development, she spoke about the development of small sustainable projects in Russian regions, paying particular attention to green energy in the Kamchatka Krai.

Olga Ponomareva, an expert at the Economic Policy Foundation, explained in a commentary for Vedomosti the reasons behind China's growing popularity among Russian tourists, with a forecast of 30% growth in mutual tourist traffic by 2025.

Tatyana Ivakhnenko, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's Mathematical Modeling of Economic Processes Department, commented on the Moscow 24 TV channel, explaining the purpose of the upcoming 20% increase in the minimum wage in the capital to 39,730 rubles.

Olga Ponomareva, Expert at the Economic Policy Foundation, commented to Izvestia on the stagnation of retail sales in China and government measures to stimulate domestic demand.

Evgeny Goryunov, Head of the Monetary Policy Department at the Gaidar Institute, commented for the Bank of Russia's decision to lower the key rate on December 19.

Yuri Pleskachev, Senior Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's Quantitative Analysis of Economic Effects Department, explained one of the fundamental questions of economics: what factors determine long-term growth—the quality of institutions, geographical conditions, or cultural characteristics. He noted that modern research does not provide a clear answer, and that economic dynamics are formed at the intersection of all three groups of factors.

The package of bills adopted by the State Duma, which abolishes annual income declarations for civil servants and deputies in favor of a system of continuous automated control, may increase the effectiveness of the fight against corruption, but it carries digital risks. This opinion was expressed in a comment for TASS by Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department.

Antonina Levashenko, Head of International Best Practices Analysis Department at the Gaidar Institute, analyzed the current situation on the oil market in a commentary for Nezavisimaya Gazeta. According to her assessment, prices are influenced by a combination of short-term and long-term factors.

Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, at the Gaidar Institute, commented to TASS on the situation around possible EU members’ vote on using frozen Russian assets for the so called “reparation loan” to Ukraine.

Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, commented for «Vzglyad» on the prospects of the Bank of Russia's lawsuit against the Belgian depository Euroclear for 18.17 trillion rubles in connection with the Central Bank's demand to return frozen assets and lost profits.

Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, commented for TASS on the possible timeframe for resolving the Bank of Russia's lawsuit against the Belgian depository Euroclear.

Despite persistently high US tariffs, China achieved a record trade surplus by reorienting trade flows. Olga Ponomareva and Vladimir Sedalishchev, experts at the Economic Policy Foundation, spoke to RBC about mechanisms behind this adaptation and possible countermeasures from other countries.

Commenting for TASS on the Bank of Russia initiative to go to court to protect its financial interests, Kirill Chernovol, Researcher at the Gaidar Institute's International Best Practices Analysis Department, expressed confidence that the Central Bank would be able to initiate a second lawsuit against Euroclear, in addition to the current lawsuit in the Moscow Arbitration Court.