The representatives of the Russian and Emirat’s manufacturing and trading companies participated in a webinar of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s "Food Trade between Russia and the UAE: Opportunities and Success Stories".
The main topics of discussion of the webinar were the current trends in the food trade, popular product categories, the dynamics of bilateral trade between Russia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as opportunities for food exports from both countries.
Mr. Hassan Al Hashemi, the Vice President for the International Relations of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed in his opening remarks that he sees great potential for companies that operate in both regions. "This is a difficult, decisive time for both countries. We are preparing to recover from the pandemic and are more than ever dependent on the continuation of trade. We are taking steps to improve food security and have adopted a new strategy - to strengthen our partnership and diversify our food resources," said Mr. Al Hashemi.
In response, the Vice President of the MCCI, Mr. Suren Vardanyan, noted that for the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the interaction with the UAE is one of the most important areas its focus. "One of our most active Commissions works with the issues involved. The questions we have raised and the feedbacks that have been received confirmed that there are both an interest and abundant prospects", - assured Mr. Vardanyan.
Mr. Roman Chekushov, a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Director of Product Export Development Department, is sure that today Russian and UAE businesses have an extensive mutual interest in pursuing cooperation. "There are stable foreign economic relations between our regions. They have been formed over the years due to professional relations between the leadership of the Russian Federation and the UAE, and the continual international contacts, which are still actively being cultivated today," Mr. Chekushov explained.
The dynamics of bilateral trade between Russia and the UAE and export opportunities for Russian business was presented by Dr. Nizami Imamverdiyev, a research economist at the Department of Economic Research of Dubai Chamber of Commerce. He spoke in detail about the latest trends in the food and beverage market, focusing on existing trade opportunities.
The moderator of the event , the Chairman of the MCCI Commission for foreign economic cooperation with partners in the UAE, Mr. Alexey Busev, made a presentation of the Russian Food Pavilion in Dubai, the main task of which is to promote Russian food producers in the markets of the Persian Gulf and some African countries. He emphasized that the Pavilion has all the necessary infrastructure for negotiations, presentations and the sampling of products. In addition, Mr. Busev highlighted practical aspects of exports from Russia to the UAE and from the UAE to Russia.
Mr. Murat Mamukov, the Export Manager of the Bavaria Brewery House Group of Companies, described the practical experience of food products’ exports to the UAE. Afterwards, Ms. Alena Palmer, the International Trade and Business Cooperation Manager of Hunter Foods, shared the success story of her company in exporting food products to Russia.
The founder and CEO of VladVneshService, Ms. Zhanna Martynova, presented an analysis of trade flows between Russia and the UAE.
Mr. Omar Khan, the Director of International Relations at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reiterated, in his closing remarks, "We help to establish connections. We help to maintain the level of interaction. We get to know everyone involved and become a part of a huge family. We are now working closely with the Moscow’s office, and we hope to get even closer in 2021!"
Summing up the event, the Vice President of the MCCI, Mr. Vardanyan, confirmed that the joint work is very cogent and systematic. "We abandoned protocol procedures and are proceeding to solve existing issues. I liked today's session, because it was very efficient - there were specific business cases with clearly defined issues and achievements," said Mr. Vardanyan. On behalf of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he assured that the Chamber "is set to further intensify and expand cooperation with Dubai".