MOSCOW, June 23. /TASS/. Western sanctions are having favourable effects on the Russian economy and businesses operating on the import substitution market, secretary of the Russian Public Chamber Alexander Brechalov said on Tuesday.

"Extension of sanctions by our Western partners is only positive for us so far," he told journalists ahead of the Public Chamber’s plenary session.

"The longer the sanctions stay in place, the better it will be for businesses, especially those operating in the sphere of import substitution," he said. "Obviously, the process of import substitution is underway, businessmen have felt chances and possibilities."

Brechalov stressed that neither sanctions nor Russia’s counter-sanctions had had negative impacts on the social sphere. "Social liabilities have been fulfilled completely, not a single kopeck has been sequestrated," he said.