Results of international and foreign economic activities of the region in 2016

On February 9, in the Caspian Institute of Maritime and River Transport the Ministry of international and foreign economic relations of Astrakhan region in the presence of the Governor of Astrakhan Region Alexander Zhilkin held a public report on the results of work in 2016 and prospects for expanding international relations. Representatives of regional and federal authorities, as well as business community and general public of the region have expressed interest in this event.
Opening the event, the Governor emphasized the importance of international line in the work of the Regional Government. Astrakhan region, he marked, successfully interacts with its traditional partners in the CIS space, especially in the Caspian region, supports established contacts with European countries, dynamically develops relations with the Asian business community. At the same time, it was noted that the problems that the region is currently facing, forced to rebuild many of usual areas of work, and international is no exception.
Minister of international and foreign economic relations of Astrakhan region Denis Afanasiev highlighted in detail in his speech the key areas of international activities in the region.
The main focus of the Ministry work has been directed to activities that contribute increasing of foreign trade, attracting investment in the economic and social sphere of the region, search for foreign partners to address the current challenges that Astrakhan companies and organizations face.
As a practical matter the past year has been filled, according to the Minister, with number of important meetings and negotiations with foreign partners, which were held in Astrakhan, as well as abroad. Especially Denis Afanasiev marked those that were held with the presidents of Turkmenistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as with the Prime Minister of the Republic of India.
The effect of close contacts with our partners, primarily from the Caspian States is obvious - the foreign trade with the countries of the Caspian region is developing quite successfully.
In general, according to customs statistics, foreign trade turnover of Astrakhan region totaled 581 million USD in 2016 and increased in comparison with the previous year by 14 percent.
The pursuit of potential foreign investors and companies to find business partners in Astrakhan region, according to the Minister, was the trend of past year. Given this trend of business activity, the Ministry held a number of international business events with partners from the EU, Asia and Caspian States in 2016. Dozens of Astrakhan enterprises and organizations took part in them. Many of them based on results of participation in international meetings have concluded export contracts.
Minister noted that huge work has been concentrated in assisting to participants of foreign trade. To this end, negotiations were held with the Russian trade representations in China, India, Serbia. In addition, in 2016 the region managed to attract attention by Japanese, Korean, Singaporean businesses. Meetings were held with representatives of well-known companies with a worldwide reputation. Among them: «Keppel» (Singapore), "Sadid Industrial Group" (Iran), "Dezhou" (China) and others.
Speaking about plans for the near future, the minister noted that, based on the positive experience of cooperation with key partners of Astrakhan region, based on a pragmatic approach having in mind the possibilities and prospects of development of the region, as well as the prevailing situation in the world, the ministry would focus its work on several priority areas in 2017. These are intensification of foreign economic activity, attraction of foreign investments and development of international component of transport and logistics system of the region. Thus the Ministry intends to pay special attention to the development of export potential of Astrakhan region, including expanding the geography of foreign trade and the nomenclature of goods for export.
The following speakers: acting Head of Astrakhan Customs Mr. Ildar Saidov, Director General of PJSC "SEZ" Lotus "Mr. Sergey Milushkin and others shared their experience of cooperation with international partners, stressing the importance of coordination with Ministry of International and Foreign Economic Relations of Astrakhan region.
The Governor Alexander Zhilkin, positively assessed the results of international and foreign economic activities of region, and has recommended the Ministry to intensify work, paying particular attention to the need to attract residents in the SEZ "Lotus", as well as exploring the potential foreign markets to promote Astrakhan products.