President Dmitry Medvedev signed into law changes to the Code of Inland Water Transport that allow vessels flying the flags of other countries to enter into Russian lakes and rivers for purposes of sports, cultural, or recreational activities. The limitation imposed on foreign ships is that they carry less than 18 individuals, counting members of the crew, at any given time.

The notes to the legislative amendments state that the new legal measure is designed to spur water tourism in Russia, including inbound tourism, to increase the inflow of foreign currency in the country’s economy that will come from an increase in the number of foreign tourists, to expand tax collection and to provide work for Russian companies servicing sports and pleasure boats.