OREANDA-NEWS. On July 03, 2009 the State Duma of the Russian Federation approved in the third reading the amendments to the Code on Administrative Violations presented on behalf of the Russian Government by Igor Artemyev, the Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia). 448 members of the Parliament voted in favour of the amendments, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia. 

"We expect that the amendments to the Law will discipline the governmental officials and companies' executives, and they will commit fewer violations, while small business will get more opportunities for advancement", believes Igor Artemyev.

The amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations add several new administrative violations in state and municipal procurement to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Violations, which will increase efficiency of tenders and reinforce protection of the market agents taking part in the competitive bidding.

In particular, the amendments establish administrative liability for:

- Failure to procure goods, works and services from small business. "Failure to split the lots in the interests of small business will be punished by a 50.000 Rubles fine", said Igor Artemyev.

- Failure to meet the deadlines for returning financial assets; and infringing the rights of bidders in electronic tenders;

- Continuing procurement if placing the order has been suspended in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation;

- Failure to present information on concluding a state or a municipal contract.

"When it is practically impossible for the small business to obtain loans, and the interest rates are too high, it is very important to expand possibilities for small and medium business for participating in tenders", said the Head of FAS Russia.

Members of the Parliament also supported the FAS Russia's idea on 1-3 year disqualification of the executives of the economic entities that have dominant position on the goods market and have abused their dominant position. "This measure of administrative liability can be used as an alternative to an administrative fine", suggests Igor Artemyev.