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Crimean authorities set to help Western investors avoid sanctions — republic's leader

Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said there are technical procedures helping to protect investors’ money from sanctions
Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov Ruslan Shamukov/TASS
Head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov
© Ruslan Shamukov/TASS

MOSCOW, March 26. /TASS/. Crimean authorities are pledging to help foreign firms escape western sanctions for doing business in Russia's new republic - potential investors a leading Crimean lawmaker said were "kicking themselves" for supporting anti-Russian sanctions "and all this illegal process".

"We had delegations from France and Israel, some of them opting to stay away from the media but wanting to invest in Crimea," head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov told the Federation Council upper house of Russia's parliament.

"We’re ready to look into the matter and meet them halfway, giving them an opportunity to avoid being sanctioned," Aksyonov said, noting that "there are technical procedures helping to protect investors’ money".

Crimean parliament Speaker Vladimir Konstantinov said, meanwhile, that the Black Sea peninsula looked lucrative for foreign investors, and that their number had grown after Crimean reunification with Russia.

"They want to invest in agriculture, food processing and port facilities," he said. "Turkey is very active, while Chinese, French and Japanese businessmen regret they are not involved in building the bridge between Crimea and Russia, despite having vast experience.

"They’re kicking themselves for supporting the idea of anti-Russian sanctions and all this illegal process."