The first online presentation of Moscow enterprises for partners from Japan took place, organized by the Moscow Export Center with the participation of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
As Mr. Alexey Fursin, the Head of the Department for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development, noted in his welcoming speech, the trade turnover between Russia and Japan has recently started to grow. "We hope that our relations will continue to develop,” - said the representative of the Moscow Government.
“For its part, Moscow has been supporting its producers, especially exporters, and will continue to do so, both in terms of infrastructure and finances. We are equal partners". Mr. Fursin expressed hope that the first online business mission will be successful and this format will be developed to become an effective instrument for promoting products in diverse markets.
Russia's trade representative in Japan, Mr. Peter Pavlenko, noted that Japan is the third largest economy in the world, with a powerful industry, scientific applications and an IT-industry. "Do not believe stories about Japan's decline. The economy of this country is very dynamic," said the trade representative. Japan's foreign trade volume is $1 trillion 400 billion, of which the Russian-Japanese trade turnover in 2019 was only 21 billion.
The structure of this trade turnover is traditional: Russia supplies oil and gas, and imports machinery, equipment and vehicles. Meanwhile, according to Mr. Pavlenko, in Japan, one can find a buyer for almost any product. There exists evidence of positive results in the food and light industry.
"We have learned how to make quality, competitive goods, however, so far we do not always have the know how to sell them in foreign markets," - said Mr. Pavlenko. He expressed confidence that during the business session, interesting goods and technologies will be presented, and also invited everyone, who wants to enter the Japanese market, to apply to the Trade Mission for assistance.
Mr. Tetsuya Umetsu, the Director General of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), presented the main areas of its work. "Our organization was established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad," he said. Now JETRO sees its main task as in attracting foreign direct investment to Japan and assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in Japan to develop their international commercial potential. The speaker invited Russian companies, who wish to enter the Japanese market, to get involved.
The Head of the Russian Representative Office of ROTOBO (Japanese Association for Trade with Russia and Newly Independent States), Mr. Saito Daisuke, said that he had been working in Moscow for more than three years and is acquainted with the work of many unique enterprises. In 2019, ROTOBO established a partnership with the Moscow Export Center. The expert expressed hope that the session would be useful for its participants.
About 20 companies’ representatives from four market segments spoke at the session: those involved in food, medicine, pharmaceuticals and industrial production. Large enterprises, with annual turnover of several billion rubles and small start-ups, developing high-tech products, were introduced.
During the event all the participants could ask questions, the answers to which will be provided by the MEC’s specialists in the nearest future.