Russia expands scope of foreign investment review, including stricter regulations for fisheries and Pacific salmon farming.

Core suggestion: The Russian State Duma recently passed a legislative amendment to further expand the scope of scrutiny on foreign investment in the fisheries sector, formally including fish production enterprises and Pacific salmon ranch-style farming under a strengthened regulatory system. The related measures aim to enhance control over strategic biological resources and improve the dominant position of domestic enterprises in key areas.

On February 26, the State Duma completed two rounds of review and passed the bill during a meeting. The amendment supplements the existing "Law on Foreign Investment in Strategic Industries" framework, with foreign investment transactions still being uniformly regulated by a government special committee. Fisheries had previously been listed as a strategic industry, and this legislation further refines applicable standards and coverage scope. According to the new regulations, enterprises whose revenue from fish production accounts for more than 50% of the company's annual total revenue and whose total asset book value exceeds 8 billion rubles (approximately $10.36 million) will be subject to stricter foreign investment regulatory requirements. This standard also applies to consolidated financial statements of groups. The legislative body stated that this move helps clarify the actual control structure of enterprises and prevents foreign capital from indirectly influencing the ...