Russian Post estimated the required amount of additional capitalization at 20-30 billion rubles

Russian Post needs additional capitalization in the amount of 20-30 billion rubles, said Deputy General Director for Finance and Economics of the company Elena Stepina at around the table in the Federation Council.

“We would suggest considering additional capitalization of the company to reduce debt obligations, a subsidy for interest reimbursement, and long-term investment of funds held in trust <...> and loans and borrowings at preferential rates at the expense of the National Welfare Fund <...> We are considering additional capitalization [в объеме] 20-30 billion rubles,” she said.

In case of issuing loan obligations, the operator needs about 20 billion rubles. from the National Welfare Fund (NWF), Stepina added. In 2024, the company will need about 10 billion rubles. to increase employee salaries in connection with an increase in the minimum wage and 32 billion rubles. to bring salaries to market levels. “Pochta,” she noted, reduced its operating loss threefold for the first half of the year and expects to maintain this trend at the end of the year.

September 25, Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko called urgently resolve the issue with the growing financial hole of Russian Post. She noted that in order to solve the company’s financial problems, it is necessary to develop a “correct model of existence” and take those measures that the government considers necessary. “But we urgently need to correct the situation: the further we close our eyes, the worse it will get,” Matvienko emphasized.

After this, the company’s general director, Mikhail Volkov, confirmed the tense situation of Russian Post, despite the improved performance compared to the beginning of the year.

In mid-March, the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, announced the need to provide Russian Post with compensation for the provision of socially important postal services in rural areas, where this activity is mostly unprofitable.

Later in May, Russian Post proposed that the Ministry of Digital Development oblige the owners of marketplaces and other participants in the e-commerce market, whose annual revenue is at least 1 billion rubles, to pay the postal operator an infrastructure payment in the amount of 0.5% of the quarterly turnover of goods. In total, these payments should amount to about 30 billion rubles. in year. This mechanism is still under debate. Minek awaitsthat when the payment is introduced, the costs of marketplaces will be transferred to the shoulders of consumers.