Analytics, Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, Markets and Companies, Russia

“This is due to the fact that in many categories of goods, a transition period will be applied, and on certain cases this could extend to up to eight years,” he said, adding that at the moment of accession, customs duties will remain unchanged on two thirds of the cases.

“In the short-term perspective, Estonian producers of agricultural produce will benefit as the customs duties will be lowered. For manufactured goods, on the other hand, there will be no such short-term benefits,” said Kitsing. He added, however, that in the long-term perspective Estonian enterprises would get new opportunities on the Russian market.

Kitsing remarked that although acceding to the WTO will unify playing rules, increase stability and reduce risks for enterprises that export their goods and services to Russia, political relations will continue playing an important role.