10 Oct 2018 17:04

AgMin already receives over 400 proposals for projects to increase agricultural exports by $17.5 bln - minister

MOSCOW. Oct 10 (Interfax) - The Agriculture Ministry has already received over 400 proposals for export-focused projects as part of the national project increase agricultural and food exports, starting in 2019.

"At the moment the ministry has received over 400 proposals, which should ensure a $17.5 billion rise in agricultural exports by 2024," Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said at an agriculture forum in Moscow.

"As part of the national project the creation of a special mechanism to legally enforce the joint obligation of business and government agencies in the achievement of targets is planned. This is a comprehensive program to increase competitiveness. Such an instrument will enable us to give targeted support to export-focused projects and control the progress of their implementation," he said.

He said that producers of export-oriented produce will be mainly supported through preferential loans.

Patrushev also said that there are plans to create a network of at least 50 agricultural attaches abroad to promote Russian produce internationally.

Agricultural exports should reach $45 billion by 2024 under the president's Mat Decree. Exports totaled $20.7 billion last year.