Microsoft earned over $1 billion on the Russian market in the financial year ending June 30, the company’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner told analysts. Microsoft’s revenues on the Russian market showed the fastest growth in terms revenues, alongside its growth on the Brazilian market, Turner added.
Microsoft had not disclosed its financials in Russia since 2006, when it reported $250 million in earnings. In subsequent years Microsoft provided only relative data. In 2007, the company said that its revenue increased by 110%, or some $525 million. In 2008, Microsoft earned about $1 billion on the Russian market. In 2009, on the back of the economic crisis, Microsoft revenue dropped to $800 million, but in 2010, again, Microsoft again earned about $1 billion. In the beginning of September this year, Microsoft Russia president Nikolay Pryanishnikov said that revenues for Microsoft in the country grew 20%. With this forecast, Microsoft could earn some $1.2 billion in Russia in its financial year 2011.
The key factor of Microsoft’s success on the Russian market is the decline of software piracy in the country. According to antipiracy organization Business Software Alliance data, the rate of software piracy in Russia has dropped 25.3% from 2004 to 2010.
Source: Kommersant
