The Minister of economic development of Russia Alexei Ulyukayev on September 22 met with the Vice-Chancellor and Minister of economy and energy of Germany Sigmar Gabriel. With a delegation of German businessmen discussed issues of trade-economic cooperation, prospects for cooperation. Alexei Ulyukayev said the embodiment of the February agreements on the resumption of the activities of the Russian-German strategic working group on cooperation in the field of Economics and Finance (AWG). Held 34 meetings.
Ulyukayev: “We discussed a wide range of issues in relation to trade and especially investment cooperation. We just talked to the German business. Our colleagues had a very direct and specific questions which relate to localization issues, issues of import substitution, joint entry into markets of third countries. We have outlined a programme of work. October 31 will be a working group meeting where we hope the existing problems”.
Russian-German relations experienced some difficulties. Ulyukayev said that in 2015 the reduction of mutual trade turnover amounted to 35%. In the first seven months in 2016, it decreased by 21%. Despite the adverse developments in trade, German investors keep interest to the Russian market. In 2015, attracted $ 1.4 billion. investment from Germany, and for the first quarter of 2016 – more than 300 million dollars.
Sigmar Gabriel said that Russia has more than 5500 enterprises with participation of German capital and urged the government to ensure the economic success of these companies.
Ulyukayev expressed Moscow’s willingness to provide support. “We are ready to do everything possible in order to support German companies in trade, investment. It is necessary that we were participants in value chains, working not only on our markets, but come together on the markets of third countries. Such opportunities now exist,” he said.
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