How the Kremlin Fights Corruption

Grigory Pasko, journalist

Here’s a story of a person I have recently come into contact with, which speaks volumes about how the Russian authorities deal with their own worst problem:  corruption.

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One middle-tier entrepreneur, having spent 15 years living in the North of Russia, decided to relocate himself and his business (he works in transport, hotel services, construction) to the vicinity of Moscow. During a preliminary reconnaissance trip there, he met with the head of one of the Rayons [something like a local district council or township–Trans.] – subsidized, poor, with financial problems, unattractive for investments.

The head of the Rayon told the entrepreneur that an influx of money into his district is very much needed, as are new jobs. He suggested that the new entrepreneur’s business line be selected for licensing, and that with regard to these activities everything would be done within the letter of the law, or “just-like-home conditions” and an absence of problems, the Rayon promised.