OREANDA-NEWS. December 17, 2012. CCI of Russia President Sergey Katyrin has held a meeting with heads of Russia-Europe business councils.

Sergey Katyrin described business councils as a reputable tool of the establishment and development of contacts between business communities of Russia and other countries. Europe is a key economic partner of Russia but the interaction is not always easy; there are certain problems and complications. Therefore, the exchange of opinions and experience between heads of Russia-Europe business councils is a useful and necessary condition of their successful work.

Deputy Director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry Department of Europe Alexander Stadnik, Chairman of the Business Council for Cooperation with Cyprus Mikhail Kuzovlev, Chairman of the Business Council for Cooperation with Lithuania and the Business Council for Cooperation with Romania Viktor Trigubko, Executive Secretary of the Russian-Austrian Business Council Anatoly Golovatyy, Chairman of the Business Council for Cooperation with Poland Anatoly Leirikh, member of the CCI of Russia Board Vladimir Salev and some others addressed the meeting and took part in the debates.

Deputy Director of the Russian Economic Development Ministry Department of Europe Alexander Stadnik dwelt on the ministry’s cooperation with business councils. Most of the cooperation is bilateral. Yet he thinks that interaction of Russian and European business in projects targeting third countries, such as the construction and global promotion of the Sukhoi Superjet 100, can be rather promising.

Heads of business councils and other participants in the debates noted the importance of the development of the regional dimension. The CCI of Russia and regional chambers give much assistance to business councils. Also business councils should pay attention to associations and unions of businessmen that work actively in the center and regions and have rather good contacts with foreign markets. A combination of their efforts will help a quicker solution of many problems.

Meetings of Russian and foreign businessmen are rather successful in regions; as a rule, such meetings are readily supported by local authorities, contracts are signed and joint projects are planned. The establishment and development of contacts and the arrival in European markets are not always smooth. The political climate has an influence on the business environment: in some countries, such as Poland, Russian investments are practically nil (with the exception of gas and oil pipelines laid a long time ago) but business relations are rather active.

Summing up results of the discussion, the CCI of Russia President Sergey Katyrin declared the existence of 74 business council. The Chamber has the department for foreign relations and liaison with business councils, which is a sign of attention given to this area. Alas, there is a shortage of information about business councils: media coverage of their activity should be more active, and the Chamber capacities should be used. That will give a boost to Russian investment projects.

The Chamber President supported the idea of regular presentations of investment potentials of regions with the participation of Russian and European businessmen and with the assistance of the CCI of Russia and regional chambers. Naturally, information capacities of business associations and unions should also be used.

In the opinion of Sergey Katyrin, it is necessary to speak loudly about pressing problems impeding Russian business in other countries and not to overlook discrimination of Russian business, which should be an item on the agenda of meetings of bilateral intergovernmental commissions. Sergey Katyrin offered to hold regular meetings of business council representatives and the Chamber administration.