In many countries of the former USSR, Russians feel at home. Here they are happy to welcome domestic entrepreneurs, officials do not obstruct the issuance of visas and permits, and the local population is distinguished by high solvency, which plays into the hands of any business.
After evaluating a number of factors, Forbes experts named the best cities in the former USSR for doing business.
10. Baku
The average salary in Baku is $ 754. The city has a magnificent sports village, a five-star resort, business centers, shopping malls. The share of the Russian population in the metropolis is 5.3%. It is noteworthy that Baku has the lowest in the top ten crime level.
9. Tbilisi
The city has the highest unemployment rate among the ten participants - 29%. Russians are actively opening hotels, restaurants, car rental offices in Tbilisi. The median salary in the city is $ 430. The share of the Russian population is 3%.
8. Yerevan
Almost 25% of Armenia's foreign trade turnover falls on Russia. The average salary in Yerevan is only $ 415. The share of Russians is very small - 0.6%. But practically everyone understands Russian, which is important for doing business.
7. Riga
To obtain a residence permit in the country, you need to buy real estate, the minimum cost of which is 143,000 euros. Russians own stakes in almost 4.5 thousand Latvian companies.
6. Astana
The median salary in the city is $ 925. The VAT rate is attractive - 12% versus 18% in Russia. The prospects for business development here were appreciated not only by Russians - Arab businessmen are building a huge multifunctional center "Abu Dhabi Plaza" in the city.
5. Alma-Ata
The GRP of the largest city in Kazakhstan last year amounted to $ 32 billion. The average salary in the city is $ 880, the share of the Russian population is more than 33%. The cost per square meter of real estate in Alma-Ata is $ 2195.
4. Vilnius
Many Russian companies use Vilnius as a launching pad to transfer their business to the European market. Business activity is hampered by one of the highest rates in the EU for contributions to various social funds.
3. Tallinn
Unfortunately, an agreement on avoiding double taxation by businesses and protecting investments has not yet been signed between Russia and Estonia. But the registration of a company in the country gives the right to receive an Estonian residence permit for 5 years. In addition, the rate of Estonian tax on retained earnings is 0%.
2. Minsk
Business in the city is developing very actively. 73% of revenues to the municipal budget are contributions from private enterprises. Half of the 10 largest taxpayers in Belarus are partially or fully owned by Russians. These include Lukoil-Belorussia, Slavneftekhim, Gazpromneft-Belnefteprodukt, MTS, Gazprom Transgaz Belarus.
1.Moscow
The best city to do business... The average salary in Moscow is $ 1524, which guarantees high purchasing power for clients of any business. The unemployment rate in the city is only 2%. One of the biggest problems for entrepreneurs is the cost of renting premises.