RSPP organized the International Forum devoted to the integration in Greater Eurasia

The Forum held on 15 March 2017 was attended by more than 350 representatives of the Russian companies operating / interested in entering the markets of the Asia-Pacific region, Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and European Union companies, including Gazprom, VTB Bank, Vnesheconombank, Nornickel, Metalloinvest, NLMK Group, RUSAL, SUEK, Russian Railways, Sinara-Transport Machines, Summa Group, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and many others; Russian governmental authorities, in particular Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Federal Customs Service, Council of the Federation and Russian State Duma; businessmen and heads of business and expert institutions as well as diplomatic agencies of the countries of Greater Eurasia, particularly Austria, Chile, China, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Republic of the Philippines, Spain, Thailand, UK, US; as well as Russian researchers and experts of the RANEPA, MGIMO, Lomonosov Moscow State University, NRU HSE etc.

The participants discussed existing and proposed trade agreements in Greater Eurasia; regional and integration projects (Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), APEC, ASEAN, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and other free trade zones, Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB), EAEU – SREB conjunction); changing business environment, opportunities and risks for businesses arising from these processes; as well as Russian and international companies’ experience in the Asia-Pacific markets; the state of play, plans and expectations from future EAEU trade agreements and their potential in enhancing the Union`s attractiveness and business opportunities in member countries.

As RSPP President Dr. Alexander Shokhin emphasized in his statement, the EU – EAEU cooperation is key for formation of common economic space in Greater Eurasia. The political shifts in a number of countries could open the door for opportunities to re-build economic cooperation. Business should propose its ways for normalizing and expanding joint work in innovative spheres. A potential of EU – EAEU economic integration should be used, particularly mutually reinforcing trade in goods and services, direct investment between the countries of the unions, formation of the value chains and modern transport infrastructure development. Business should promote free trade regimes that create incentives for economic productivity increase, technology transfer and human capital mobility.

According to Stanislav Voskresensky, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the next decade will witness further strengthening of close economic blocks and concluding bilateral free trade agreements that cover not only trade regulation but also trade in services, investment and intellectual property isues. In the context of a “turbulence” of global integration processes Russia and Russian business need to identify the priorities and position in a new emerging system, explore new opportunities and assess risks. Stanislav Voskresensky emphasized that the Comprehensive Eurasian Partnership (or Greater Eurasia) is considered as most suitable and economically effective cooperation format.

Viktor Vekselberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Renova Group, President of Skolkovo Foundation, Chairman of the RSPP Committee on International Cooperation shared with the participants of the Forum an experience of international cooperation on innovations and trade of machinery and technologies.

The presentation by Alexey Mordashov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Severstal, Chairman of the RSPP Committee on Integration, Trade and Customs Policy and WTO was devoted to the trade and customs cooperation in Greater Eurasia.

Ruslan Davydov, First Deputy Head of the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation focused on the Russian Federal Customs Service priorities for accelerating and facilitating customs formalities in Greater Eurasia.
Other topics of the discussion included promotion of settlement in national currencies in Eurasia as well as Integrated Information Tool for SMEs from APEC economies.

International Forum`s programme (in Russian, in English)
Talking points by the RSPP President Dr. Alexander Shokhin (in Russian)
Draft resolution of the International Forum (in Russian)
Please send your comments to LarionovaMV@rspp.ru before March 27, 2017.