Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a reported 60 percent of Russian entrepreneurs are unable to keep up with rental payments. Most are trying to negotiate terms with their landlords, however, as many as one-third of companies expect difficulties in paying rent in the near future. Evidence of this is provided in a survey of managers of small and medium-sized businesses completed by the NAFI research company in April. According to the survey, only 13 percent of businesses were able to agree new terms with their landlords on a revision of their lease, while 28 percent have already received a refusal. Around 44 continue to engage in negotiations, however 69 percent of the manufacturing companies surveyed are delayed in making payments. Their situation has been caused and continues to be complicated by the government-enforced period of self-isolation, writes NAFI.
