Pepeliaev Group is on the committee dealing with cross-border trade

The Pepeliaev Group partner Galina Balandina has been elected to chair the Association of Russian Managers’ committee for cross-border trade in 2012. The firm has been working successfully with the Association of Russian Managers for ten years, having been represented on various of the Association’s committees and commissions and taking part in a number of its projects.

One of the committee’s tasks is to devise a mechanism for coming up with a consolidated position of the business community in terms of developing international economic links and cross-border trade, and the way these are regulated by international associations and Russian state bodies. The committee facilitates the creation of the conditions for a constructive dialogue to take place between business and state authorities on issues relating to the regulation of cross-border trade; it assists the development of Russian business on international markets; and it develops the body of law regulating cross-border trade.

“As a result of Russia’s accession to the WTO and the development of the Customs Union, those in business can expect to face many changes in the regulation of cross-border economic activity,” believes Galina Balandina. She is certain that, in association with the ARM, we will be able to mitigate legal risks for those involved in cross-border trade and to improve legislation in the area of investments.

Galina Balandina, partner and head of customs law and foreign trade regulation at Pepliaev Group

Galina has been awarded the title of honoured lawyer of the Russian Federation and is a retired major general of the state customs authority. She has a track record of working for more than 20 years on the regulation of cross-border trade, of which 15 years was spent in management positions within the customs authorities, including as head of the legal service of the Russian Federal Customs Service (FCS). Galina also worked in the Russian Economic Development Ministry as the departmental director for state regulation of cross-border trade. She was involved in developing and drafting the Russian Customs Code, as well as laws and regulations enacted by the Russian government and the FCS pertaining to cross-border trade and customs matters.

Since the beginning of 2009, Galina has been active in developing Pepeliaev Group’s customs law and foreign trade regulation practice. Under her direction, the practice has expanded significantly and has undertaken a range of major projects. Galina is currently one of the key experts working to draw up regulations and amend legislation further to the formation of the Customs Union and accession to the WTO as well as in relation to the implementation of the Green Corridor project for innovation companies.  Galina is a member of the Russian Federation’s expert council under the auspices of the Customs Union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, appointed by a decision of the Eurasian Economic Community’s Interstate Council (the Customs Union’s senior authority, which comprises the heads of state) on 9 December 2010.