Opening the meeting, Mr. Vardanyan, reminded that the MCCI has long been developing close ties with the Gulf countries, believing that this is one of the most promising areas of reciprocal collaboration between Russian business circles and their foreign partners.
The Vice President is convinced that it is important for foreign colleagues to understand that Moscow is a mega polis with 20 million people. The city interacts with 184 countries. The interaction implies direct trade and economic cooperation. 85% of Russia's total capital today is concentrated in Moscow.
The capital provides 20% of Russia's total non-raw materials resources exports. The largest number of scientific and technical companies is concentrated here. Moscow provides 40% of all Russian wholesale and retail trade. Mr. Vardanyan stressed: "Today we actively help our companies to use the tools that the city provides to support business. The development of enterprises is encouraged and assisted. If we are talking about foreign ones, then the focus is on their localization in the city. Moscow’s enterprises are the main investors abroad. Therefore, we consider it crucial to establish working contacts with our foreign partners. The MCCI, as the largest business association in Moscow, acts in this direction in its broadest sense. It is important to note that the MCCI is the only legally established business association in Moscow".
Guests from of Oman responded by saying that the purpose of their visit is to develop cooperation between our countries, which have long been friends and partners, including the political arena. Cooperation in business is not developing as actively as we would like. The development of logistics is of key importance for all companies and business sectors in Oman. The delegation included representatives of Oman's aviation companies, owners of free economic zones, transport systems, its own cargo line and dozens of ships.
Very few Russian companies are currently working with Oman. This is due to the fact that historically, Oman has not been a part of the zone of interest for the USSR and Russia. This is the first visit of a delegation, consisting of representatives of various structures that became very interested in the international digital trading platform, the "Business Market", presented by Mr. Vardanyan.
A representative of the State enterprise of the Oman Aviation Group said that their company controls the entire aviation sector of the country. The main goal of the company is not only profit, but also the country’s economic development. Besides aviation, the company is engaged in logistics and provides vigorous conditions for import and export. Several programs have been instituted to develop this direction.
In addition, the guests said that they require investments that can come in any form, whether finances or equipment in order to invigorate trade.
Summing up the meeting, Mr. Vardanyan noted that Moscow’s and diverse Russian companies may be interested in the proposals voiced, and they are intersted not only in logistics, but also with the declared topics, related to tourism and bilateral promotion of products. However, introduction of Russian companies to Arab markets is linked to certain difficulties, inadequate understanding of local mentality, and, mainly, in order to do business successfully, one should strive to understand both culture and traditions of the people one works with. The MCCI regularly holds events, aimed at obtaining knowledge about prospective countries.