This year, the Russian-Georgian Business Council was created at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by Yuri Balashov. We have already started discussing specific issues.
Sergey Nikolaevich, can you find a common language?
Sergey Katyrin: We try to find directions where we can move forward together. There is interest from certain circles in Georgia. I can’t say it’s in the interest of the whole country. But among companies there are many who want and can. And seek support from our side.
And there is one – the resumption of flights to Georgia from May 15 and the relaxation of the visa regime. It’s not just for tourists, is it?
Sergey Katyrin: Air communication, the visa regime is a signal that our country wants to cooperate with Georgia. And that’s the first thing we talked about when we created the council.
As Russian diplomats put it, “the principled approach of the Russian side is to constantly facilitate communication and contacts between residents of Russia and Georgia, despite the absence of diplomatic relations.” This is what the decree on the resumption of air traffic, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, aims to do.
And the activity of the Russian-Georgian Business Council is not only trade and economic cooperation, but also humanitarian issues. Today the celebration of the Day of the Georgian Diaspora in Russia has begun. The program includes the opening of an exhibition of copies of ancient Georgian frescoes found in Russia, a Georgian dance festival and a regular council meeting. Our Georgian partners and members of the works council were preparing for the holidays with great enthusiasm. We hope that this optimistic attitude will continue for a long time in our common work.
Is there progress in business relations?
Sergey Katyrin: Yes, recently the problem of sourcing cognac spirits directly from Georgia was solved. Our partners also want to organize supplies of Georgian wine. So that more farms are certified and have the opportunity to sell it in Russia. We are talking.
The fact that they want to bring us wine is understandable. But now we’ve had enough.
Sergei Katyrin: We really don’t have such acute problems with wine as before. Many claim that our wines today are of very, very good quality. Kuban, Crimea and so on. But there are also other directions. The same tourism, for example.
It is also necessary to organize rail transit within the framework of the Silk Road: China, the port of Iran Bandarabas, Astara Iran, Astara Azerbaijan, Gabala Azerbaijan, Mirnauli Georgia, through the territory of Abkhazia to Russia. This will, among other things, make it possible to conclude long-term contracts for the supply of gas and oil at stable and predictable prices.
Rail transit will also unload the Upper Lars border crossing and reduce the cost of delivered goods by increasing their volume. Given the current situation with the transit of Russian goods through Turkey, the organization of such a regime is vital.
In which areas are we particularly interested in cooperation?
Sergey Katyrin: Today, the basis of Russian exports are petroleum products, gas, coal, oil, wheat and wheat flour. Georgia mainly exports wine, spirits, mineral water, ferroalloys, cars. There is a possibility to increase turnover. By the way, in the first three months of this year it has already increased by 73% by 2022.
It would be interesting to establish end-of-cycle enterprises in Georgia for products supplied from Russia. On the Georgian side, there are proposals on the construction of an almond peeling and packing plant, the construction of a garment factory, the organization of a metal pole for building structures.
Which regions are of particular interest to Georgia?
Sergey Katyrin: Currently, the Lipetsk region and the Stavropol Territory are the most active. We want to organize a trip of their delegations to Georgia to meet colleagues.
Learn about the entry of Russian regional companies into new global markets in the next issue of Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
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