RUSIA – According to German furniture industry portal, EUWID, economic sanctions that Russia imposed on Turkey at the end of November might also cause delays with the implementation of a number of wood-based panel projects in Russia. 

The Russian Government imposed these sanctions in response to the shooting down of a Russian fighter plane by the Turkish air force. With effect from 1 January, Turkish visitors need a visa to enter Russia, something that has not been required since May 2010. At the same time, it will become harder to travel from Turkey to Russia.

Under a decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian companies are not to hire any more Turkish workers from 2016 onwards. Turkish companies’ activities in Russia will be scaled back, as well.

Up until now, the only import bans affect fruit and vegetables. Since the end of November, delays clearing lorries travelling from Turkey to Russia had already led to long lines of lorries forming at the border between Russia and Georgia, which Turkish firms mainly use as a transit country.