“The problem is not sanctions”: Crimean authorities explain why large networks never entered the peninsula
Crimea does not experience a shortage of interest from investors; the problems so far are only in transport logistics. If some federal retail chains, gas stations and mobile operators do not enter Crimea, then, apparently, they are not needed here.
Vladimir Konstantinov, speaker of the State Council of Crimea, expressed this opinion on the air of the Millet TV channel, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“Keep in mind that the situation has now changed dramatically. I’ll just give an example of investors I had to talk to who said: as soon as the planes fly, I immediately come to Crimea. To the question “why”, the answer is this - because I like to control everything myself, and I control my entire business, I fly. And if I can’t fly in, I can’t control it, then I don’t have time to spend two days on the road. This is the conversation I had.
The second conversation I had was just last week in Moscow. They asked for a meeting, they want to build a hotel, how and what is needed for this. What am I saying - Crimea is always interesting, and it will be interesting. And if someone didn’t come in, then maybe they aren’t needed here. Or maybe he doesn’t have the strength to come in. Here, too, it is necessary to keep in mind that sanctions have limited the possibilities of many, and the damage is not just some kind of declarative damage. Therefore, I don’t see any problems here,” the speaker emphasized.
According to him, the problem is the economic potential of enterprises to open branches in Crimea.
“I think that everyone who has the strength will be here. I have no doubts about this at all. No one, thank God, is looking back, the problem is not the sanctions now, and not because they love us or don’t love us - just not everyone has the strength. This is the organization of the enterprise here, additional resources, in the first 2 years it’s all negative.
That is, you have to create a structure, give people here, then another two years until it gets going, at least starts earning money for itself. These things - they will come and they will all be here. It’s a shame for Crimea to be offended in the investment climate, and we have quite significant investor interest,” Konstantinov assured.