Darrell Stanaford, Deputy General Director for Strategic Development at RD Management, spoke with the publication “GUIDE to investment opportunities in Russia” about obstacles hindering greater investment in the Russian commercial real estate market.
DE JURE AND DE FACTO
The first set of problems negatively impacting the inflow of foreign investment is tied to the administrative and legislative sphere, which according to Mr. Stanaford is not sufficiently developed and too unpredictable.
It is no coincidence that in the World Bank’s Doing Business rating Russia fell two positions on the subcategory of Protecting Investors, sliding from 113th in 2013 to 115th in 2014. At the same time, in the overall Ease of Doing Business rating the country climbed 19 positions, from 111th to 92nd.
MYTHS
In addition to the real problems that exist, there are also myths which Western investors have a difficult time getting past. A clear example is the well-established myth that Russia has a poor investment climate, which really is not the case.