RUSSIAN CUSTOMS DECISION HURTS UZBEKISTAN.

Russia’s Federation Council yesterday approved a government bill which cancels the value-added tax on cotton fiber imports from non-CIS countries. Proponents of the act said that the measure will enable Russia to further reduce Uzbekistan’s hitherto dominant but declining share in Russia’s cotton fiber imports. (Itar-Tass, May 15) The measure hurts Uzbekistan and also confirms to other CIS countries that membership in that organization does not ensure preferential treatment on the Russian market. That assumption had once swayed several countries into joining the organization.

Russia Granted ASEAN Partner Ranking.