Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Russia to boost Argentinean imports

File photo of Industry Minister Débora Giorgi.

Industry Minister Débora Giorgi and Agriculture Minister Carlos Casamiquela met in Moscow with Russian authorities, seeking to increase Argentine exports, capitalising on the ban set by President Vladimir Putin on European and US agricultural goods in response to Western sanctions over the situation in Ukraine.

The head of the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Sergei Dankvert, ratified in a statement his country’s interest in having “more Argentinean goods entering the (Russian) market, with fairer regulations.”

“It is very feasible to add new companies to supply our markets with dairy and meat, among others,” the official added.

Giorgi praised Argentina’s exports potential “in both traditional and new products.” The minister highlighted that the country is the “seventh global exporter of powdered milk and first in Latin America” and that the production of “special milks” has increased “by three million liters in the last decade.”

She also pointed out that both Argentina and Latin America have a lot of potential to develop gas and oil industries but that the goods needed to exploit those reserves are imported. “We seek to encourage investment to produce those goods,” Giorgi said, and invited Russian firms to invest in Argentina.

In reference to the region, Dankvert said: “We have been prioritizing our relationship with Latin America since 2000 and its products are welcomed.”

The Russian official thanked his Argentinean counterparts and announced that new bilateral meetings have been scheduled for next month.