OREANDA-NEWS. March 02, 2011. A two-day session of the Russia-South Africa and South-Africa–Russia Business Councils was held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.

The event was attended by Georgy Petrov, RF CCI vice president, Vladimir Kremer, managing director of the GK “Renova“, Sergei Vassiliev, director of the RF CCI Department for International Cooperation, Gamzat Gamzatov, RF CCI deputy director for operation of business councils, Robert Gumede, chairman of the South Africa-Russia Business Council, Mandisi Mpahlwa, South African Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Viktor Nelyubin, GK “Renova”’s, International Relations director, managers of the Russian and South African Business Councils’ member companies and enterprises. The meeting was opened by Vladimir Kremer, managing director of the State-owned company “Renova”. He thanked the South African colleagues for the successful cooperation within the framework of the Business Council, briefing the audience on the Russia-South African trade and economic relations.

He stressed that interaction of the two countries had been developing actively in such areas as the mining industry, energy sector, aviation construction and manufacture of medical equipment. On the threshold of the Winter Olympic Games (2014) and the World Football Championship (2018), the South African experience in building relevant sports infrastructure was most important, Vladimir Kremer stressed.

The guest of honour at the session, South Africa’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation Mandisi Mpahlwa also took the floor. He referred to the establishment of the Business Council for the efficient interaction of business communities in both countries, the growth of trade turnover and activities aimed at attraction of investments. South Africa pins hopes on the mutually advantageous cooperation in agriculture, the mining industry and tourism. Mandisi Mpahlwa said that the pending ascension of South Africa to the BRIC countries in April, 2011 was an undoubtedly important step aimed at boosting development  of trade relations between the two states.

Robert Gumede, chairman of the South Africa–Russia Business Council elaborated on the theme of bilateral trade and economic relations. He spoke about the importance of increasing Russia-South Africa trade turnover, the growth of mutual investments, expressing hope that cooperation with Russia’s business community would continue.

RF CCI vice-president Georgy Petrov then took the floor to congratulate Robert Gumede on the approval of his nomination as the chairman of the Russia-South Africa Business Council, which would promote development of trade and economic relations between our two countries. The Chamber’s vice-president also said that South Africa is Russia’s priority trade and economic partner in the Sub-Saharan region. The current mutual trade turnover amounts to USD 500 million, which is insufficient, so that it should be increased.

According to Georgy Petrov, the most promising areas of collaboration are the mining industry, IT technologies and developments in the field of alternative energy sources. A weighty contribution to the development of the bilateral economic cooperation can be made by mutual investments.

Long-term financial investments into the Russian economy will be supported by the Russian businessmen and the entire network of the chambers of commerce and industry. Besides, Georgy Petrov expressed satisfaction over South Africa’s pending ascension to the BRIC forum, calling on the members of both chapters of the Business Council to take an active part in the business forum the two countries will hold in China in April. Concluding his speech Georgy Petrov wished success to the session members in their efforts to set up new joint projects in demand in both countries, that would further develop welfare of South African and Russian nations.

Next speakers at the session included managers of a number of Russian and South African companies that were unanimous in expressing their great interest in boosting solid partnership relations between the two countries.

On the second day of the session a representative of the Skolkovo innovation centre briefed the South African session attendees on the goals and tasks of the centre now under construction, inviting South African businessmen to take an active part in its creation.

After that the session members were offered two presentations devoted to the expertise of building of sports infrastructure in the South African Republic, as well as the R&D achievements in the development of alternative energy sources.

In conclusion, Robert Gumede, chairman of the South Africa- Russia Business Council made a speech saying that he viewed development of natural resources and tourism as priority directions of Russia-South Africa cooperation. Other issues that require attention is the instalment of direct flights between Moscow to Johannesburg, and support of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi and the 2018 World Football Championship.