The Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a meeting of the MCCI leadership with a delegation from the State of Gujarat (India).
"Cooperation with colleagues in India is one of the priorities of the international activities of the MCCI," began his welcoming speech Mr.Vladimir Platonov, the President of the MCCI. The authorities and Moscow’s business are actively working to improve the commercial climate in the capital under difficult circumstances caused by the coronavirus infection. In recent years, Moscow has become a very attractive city for foreign businesses and tourists. Good conditions have been created for investments, for the functioning of both large, medium and small enterprises, and profitable sites are available.
The MCCI is interested in the development of direct contacts between representatives of business, to actively promote the widespread use of innovation, modern technology and the dissemination of the principles of improved business conduct.
Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, the Managing Director of the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and Chairman of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, said the meeting is being held before of the Dynamic Gujarat 2022 summit exhibition to be held in Gandhinagar next January.
One of the main objectives of the meet was to outline ways of possible cooperation between the business communities of Moscow and the State. The high-ranking guest said that the gross domestic product of Gujarat is growing annually by about 10%. About 17% of India's industrial production is manufactured here and 11% of India's industrial enterprises are located there. Gujarat supplies products to 157 countries.
The State accounts for 21 percent of India's total exports, or about $60.5 billion. "The State of Gujarat ranks first in the country in terms of investments, logistics capabilities, export readiness, water treatment, and startup support in 2018-2019," said Mr. Kumar. “The State provides good opportunities for foreign companies, including those from Russia: we have special support from both the Central and State governments. It's a comfortable place to live.”
The Vice President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Suren Vardanyan, who oversees the international and interregional activities of the MCCI, stressed that many areas of cooperation are fundamentally interesting for Moscow. Among them are oil refining, pharmaceuticals, tourism development, "green economy" and "green energy". “Moscow, as a point of attraction, accumulates up to 50% of all the international investments", - said Mr. Vardanyan.
Representatives of business circles of Moscow and Gujarat spoke at the meeting, introducing their companies and identifying areas in which they are interested in finding partners or investments.
At the end of the official part of the meeting, the parties exchanged souvenirs, and then, in an informal communication, explored areas for cooperative interaction.