Manufacturers of computer peripherals are afraid of monopolization

The idea to toughen the requirements for determining the nationality of automated workstations and, in particular, computer peripherals (mice, keyboards, etc.) caused sharp criticism from market participants. Electronics manufacturers are afraid that if new requirements are introduced, they will become dependent on one supplier represented by the author of the Beshtau Electronics initiative. The Ministry of Industry and Trade considers the new regulation to be timely, but promises to preliminarily assess the demand and capabilities of manufacturers. Beshtau itself claims that it does not occupy monopoly positions in any of the segments.

“Kommersant” got acquainted with the letter of the director of the department of the radio-electronic industry of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Yury Plyasunov to ANO Computer Engineering (ANO VT; Yadro, Aquarius, Kraftway, etc.) dated June 20. The official asks the participants of the consortium to give feedback on the initiative by June 26 to develop, within the framework of the 719th government decree, a point system for determining the domesticity of automated workstations (AWP, in addition to a monoblock and a monitor, they include a computer mouse, keyboard, printing equipment, etc.). ). The Ministry of Industry and Trade and ANO did not respond to requests.

At the beginning of June, the manufacturer of monitors, monoblocks, keyboards and mice, Beshtau Electronics, came up with the idea of ​​introducing the system. They explained that now AWS manufacturers include Chinese components in their composition – for example, mice, printers, monitors, which “poses a threat to domestic manufacturers of peripherals” (see “Kommersant” dated June 15).

Kommersant’s interlocutor, close to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, explains that the issue of the production of the Russian periphery was discussed two years ago “and then none of the major producers wanted to take on.” Now, the source says, “one player has appeared on the market.” However, Kommersant’s interlocutor admits, “the issue cannot yet be called resolved” – the ministry will have to estimate the volume of AWP consumption per year and compare this figure with the capabilities of Russian peripheral manufacturers: “If the numbers converge, then there will be no obstacles to introducing requirements.”

Today, AWPs in Russia are produced by Aquarius, Depo, ICL, IRU, Getmobit, etc. Its participants estimate the annual market volume at 85 billion rubles. Key customers are government agencies and companies in the oil and gas sector, ICL says, adding that “the market will grow.” Aquarius did not respond to a request, Getmobit declined to comment.

“Now there are not enough manufacturers on the market who can produce these items in the required quantity and quality, for mice and keyboards, for example, only Beshtau Electronics equipment is in the register,” ICL notes. If workstations are considered Russian only if they use a Russian-made mouse and keyboard, the market will lose competition, emphasizes ICL commercial director Ildar Vagizov.

The introduction of a point system for determining the domesticity of peripherals included in the AWP may lead to a monopolization of the segment by one manufacturer, the interlocutor of Kommersant agrees in the Russian manufacturer of laptops and monoblocks: “Now we are seeing how one company is trying through the ministry, which needs to report on the tightening of requirements for localization of electronics, to adjust the market for themselves. He adds that if the norm is introduced, “the majority of AWS manufacturers will become dependent on Beshtau Electronics.”

Most of the consortium participants are dissatisfied with the idea and are preparing a position on this issue, two interlocutors of Kommersant close to ANO VT say. According to one of them, representatives of the consortium insist that such changes to the existing regulatory mechanisms should be made no earlier than 2025, when the register of Russian electronics will be filled with peripheral devices to the extent that satisfies the requirements of customers, and “the speedy adoption of such regulations discourages industry development”.

Meanwhile, Beshtau assures that they do not occupy monopoly positions in any of the segments. “We are not the only producers. Lightcom and RDW Computers produce monitors, Aquarius and Katyusha.Print make printing equipment, and Nitrino makes mice and keyboards,” emphasizes Beshtau co-owner Oleg Osipov. He explains that the company “opposes the sale of Chinese electronics under the guise of Russian electronics.”

Nikita Korolev