AEB meets Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry & Trade
11 March, the Association of European Businesses met with Denis Manturov, Minister of Industrial Policy & Trade of the Russian Federation.
The event was organised as a Q&A session, where the AEB members were given the opportunity to ask questions to the Minister. Issues with localisation policy and its tough requirement for certain sectors were brought up, questions on business climate in general, as well concerns raised about the Baring Vostok Case which has raised the uncertainty among the business community.
Also, concerns were raised about certain protectionist tendencies of the Russian economy. Minister Manturov, however, does not see the Russian industrial policy as very protectionist. He mentioned that, for instance, the example of 200% import taxes on cars in India, and that, compared to such import duties, those of the Russian Federation look small. Furthermore, the minister explained that the industrial policy was successful, especially in the agricultural sector. He does not see that the market is very much closed for imports, mentioning the opportunity to import agricultural products like olives or palm oil freely.
Andreas Bitzi, managing director of quality partners and chairman of the AEB in the Northwest, was among the many participants.
We would like to thank Minister Denis Manturov for being with the AEB and we hope to have an opportunity to meet again in one year’s time.
More info: www.aebrus.ru