March 16, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the first trade agreement between Russia and England and the creation of the Russian Trade Representation in London.
The Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom and the Russian Trade Representation held an online conference that collected more than 100 participants, where experts appreciated the current situation and the prospects for the development of bilateral economic relations.
Boris Abramov, Russia's Trade representative in the UK moderated the conference.
His Highness Prince Michael of Kent, a member of the Royal Family and the Patron of the Russian-British Chamber of Commerce (RBCC) opened the event. Prince Michael stressed that 100 years ago, Russia and the United Kingdom not only signed a bilateral cooperation agreement, but also laid the foundation for the construction of solid trade and economic relations for many years.
Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia said that in 2016 the Russian and British entrepreneurs were widely celebrated another event: the 100th anniversary of the creation of RBCC. This structure, created in the midst of the First World War, survived all the rapid events in the history of both countries, retained its importance and continued to serve as an important bridge between the business communities of Russia and Britain.
According to Sergey Katyrin, Britain has always been one of the most important trading partners of Russia. Russian-British economic ties have a long history, since the business of our countries always has something to offer each other, the President of the CCI of Russia noted.
Sergey Katyrin stressed the constructive and close interaction, which the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia developed with Russia's Trade representation in the UK and congratulated his head and team with a 100-year anniversary.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Alexey Gruzdev, describing the state of Russian-British trade and economic relations, noted the growth of turnover in the past year by 54% to almost $ 27 billion. The need to overcome the negative economic consequences of the pandemic, as well as the new trade and political situation for the UK due to exit from the EU contributes to the search for Russian and British new opportunities for interaction. At the same time, Alexey Gruzdev recalled, Britain has long been one of the most important Russian trade partners and British companies are among the leading investors in the Russian economy. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, according to him, is ready for a dialogue with the Ministry of International Trade of Great Britain to determine further ways to expand bilateral economic relations. It was about this that Alexey Gruzdev stressed was discussed on March 15, the Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Manturov with the British Ambassador to Russia Deborah Bronnert.
According to Andrei Kelin, Russian Ambassador to the UK, this time dictates both countries the need to resume constructive dialogue. Russia to such a dialogue is ready. It is positive that in the conditions of difficult bilateral relations and the company pandemic continue to cooperate, trade volumes are growing, and projects continue to evolve.
British Ambassador to Russia Deborah Bronnert agreed with the great importance of the development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation even in times of difficult political relations and noted that this was the point of the trade agreement 100 years ago. Suggesting an even deeper excursion into history, she recalled that the Old English Court in Zaryadye appeared in 1556, and was a gift from Tsar Ivan IV to the British Moscow Company. More than 100 years later, Tsar Peter I visited England with the main purpose to study the local experience of shipbuilding and then trade relations between the two countries acquired a stable progressive character. Now, according to Deborah Bronnert, both countries can do a lot to stimulate further development of economic cooperation. The conclusion of a memorandum of cooperation for the fight against coronavirus between the company "AstraZeneca" and NITSEM named after N.F.Gamalei is a good example in this direction.
The results of the discussions were summed up by the Chairman of the Board of RBCC Roger Munnings, who noted that the most important are the statements made by representatives of the governments of both countries about the need to support and encourage the intentions of British and Russian businessmen to further expand cooperation. Of course, it is easier for business to work in conditions of favorable political relations, but the meeting of Minister Denis Manturov with British Ambassador Deborah Bronnert is viewed by British entrepreneurs as a very positive signal.
By CCI of Russia news reports
