The Kremlin is discussing the possibility of banning the import of computers and laptops from Dell, HP, HPE, Acer, MSI and other foreign manufacturers into Russia after the Russian manufacturer ICL appealed on this matter, writes Ria Novosti with reference to Kommersant.

“The initiative was taken up by the domestic company ICL, while simultaneously stimulating the demand for domestic goods with the help of a 20% cashback program,” the publication writes.

Retailers and officials support the idea of ​​launching a cashback program, but oppose curbs on parallel imports, warning of the risks of an increase in illegal supplies.

Thus, on December 8, the general director of ICL Techno Yevhen Stepanov sent a letter to the Ministry of Digital Affairs about a number of measures to protect Russian electronics manufacturers, including bans on parallel imports of Dell, HP equipment, HPE, Acer, MSI, Inspur, Asus, Lenovo and Fujitsu.

This measure, the letter states, will “free the Russian market from companies that refused to work in Russia, and increase the share of Russian IT technologies to 50%.”

ICL’s initiatives were discussed on December 21 at a meeting with local manufacturers and retailers.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade told Kommersant that, together with the Ministry of Digital, they are working out mechanisms for financial and marketing support for consumers of Russian radio electronic products, including by providing favorable loans and returning part of the cost of equipment to buyers. .

However, the Ministry of Statistics believes that the increase in demand for Russian products should be achieved through “competitive solutions, not a ban on imports.”

Microsoft suspended new sales in Russia in March.

In September, Microsoft limited the ability of Russian users to update computers to the latest version of the operating system – Windows 11.