An online conference on the topic " Economic cooperation between Russia and Hungary in the agro-industrial sector: topical issues" was organized on March 23 by the MCCI with the support of the Hungarian Export Development Agency (HEPA).
One of the tasks of the conference was to reveal the actual economic potential for the development of cooperation between Russian and Hungarian entrepreneurs, interacting in the field of the agro-industrial complex. “Agroprom is the story that may turn out to be a catalyst for organizing systems’ communications. This time, we would like to focus on specific examples with successful implementation or with problematic points that exist in organizing the communication process between Russian and Hungarian companies. ”said Mr. Suren Vardanyan, the Vice President of the MCCI, in his welcoming speech, who moderated the event,
The Russian Trade Representative in Hungary, Mr. Pavel Ilyin, spoke about cooperation between the countries in the field of agro-industrial complex. He delineated the trade turnover in the agro-industrial sphere into three main parts: the supply of agricultural food products, the supply of machinery and equipment, and the supply of mineral fertilisers. “If we look at these three main parts, we can say that the Moscow region plays an important role in providing supplies for these markets. As for food and agricultural products, companies from Moscow and the regions provide 23% of Russian supplies to Hungary. For the industrial group - 27%, for mineral fertilisers - 30% ”the Trade Representative pointed out.
He reminded that the representative office is engaged in supporting Russian exporters, who want to enter the Hungarian market and find a partner there. There are many requests from Russian companies.
The Attaché for foreign economic relations of the Embassy of Hungary in the Russian Federation, Mr. Andrei Bukai, spoke about the state support for Hungarian exporters working in the field of the agro-industrial complex. And, Mr. Dmitry Peshkov, the Director of External Communications of the Hungarian Export Development Agency “HEPA”, described the activities of “HEPA” in the field of the agro-industrial complex.
The Head of the Moscow branch of the International Investment Bank (IIB Hungary), Mr Grigory Gruzinov, briefly introduced the bank, spoke about its mission and support for Hungarian exporting enterprises and trade finance programs. He especially emphasized the bank's ability to play on a neutral, non-sanctioned platform, which is fundamentally important in conditions when countries are applying various measures of pressure on each other. The bank, on the other hand, is a platform that functions outside of this problem.
Mt. Oleg Borisovets, a co-founder of “Logistic Solutions”, presented information for Russian and Hungarian companies about entering foreign markets. He also addressed issues involving the areas of certification, customs and logistics.
Ms. Daria Shunina, the Head of the Department for Attracting Foreign Companies of the Skolkovo Foundation - “Softlanding”, spoke briefly about the supporting measures that exist in the Foundation. Skolkovo, according to her, is a platform, on which both Russian and foreign companies are helped to grow and develop.
The Representative of the Hungarian company “AgroFeed Kft.” in Tula, Mr. Alexander Ginzburg, introduced his company, illustrating in detail the competitive advantages of the company, which produces premixes and feed additives for animal husbandry and has its own production facilities in Russia. He highlighted the advantages of localizing production in Russia.
In addition, issues from the field of certification, customs and logistics, when entering foreign markets, were discussed. Also discussed was the state support for exporters working in the field of the agro - industrial complex. Representatives of Russian and Hungarian companies presented their products and expressed their expert opinions on the issues.
Concluding the event, Mr. Vardanyan said: "We will continue to work in this direction, because such specific industry topics allow us to get acquainted with the capabilities of people, who are particularly interested in the development of a given segment, create an opportunity to communicate, understand problems and opportunities for their solution."