OREANDA-NEWS. November 19, 2007. Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, A. Kudrin held a second meeting on the issue of accepting payments for communication and housing and utilities services from the population.

The participants formulated the guidelines for government authorities regarding current regulation of payment acceptance.

Taking into account the lack of legal clarity b/w the Civil Code and the Federal Law "On Banks and Banking" with regard to acceptance of payments for communication and housing and utilities services from the population, the law enforcement bodies and the Central Bank were advised to refrain from terminating operations of business entities and sole traders that accept payments form the population under the agency or sub-agency agreements.

FAS Russia has been advocating the recommendations and fully supports the above decision, as otherwise it would lead to restricting competition on the given market and, consequently, deteriorating the quality of services offered to the consumers.

FAS Russia asks the market actors to immediately inform the Antimonopoly Service if the authorities attempt to close down their business or obstruct their economic activities.