Russia, Sri Lanka determine main areas of cooperation
MOSCOW. Feb 15 (Interfax) - Russia and Sri Lank determined their main areas of cooperation during the first meeting of their intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation in Moscow on Friday.
The commission, which was formed in 2015, is co-chaired by Russian Deputy Agriculture Minister and Federal Fisheries Agency head Ilya Shestakov and Sri Lankan Deputy Industry and Commerce Minister T.M. Tennakoon.
Shestakov told reporters after the meeting that this event was very important in terms of identifying the objectives and priorities of cooperation for both countries. A decision was made at the meeting to form working groups on the main areas of cooperation, particularly in the field of agriculture. The countries see cooperation in this area as particularly important.
"We're interested in expanding supplies of a broad range of food goods from Sri Lanka, foremost seasonal fruit and vegetables that will not compete with domestic products," Shestakov said, recalling that the bulk of trade currently consists of tea imports from Sri Lanka.
The countries also discussed cooperation in science and education.
"Cooperation in the area of aircraft shipments to Sri Lanka is very important, particularly the promising SSJ-100 jets, helicopters, as well as post-sale servicing of aircraft. In addition, we discussed shipments of Kamaz automobiles to Sri Lanka and the use of the Glonass [satellite navigation] and Smart City systems," Shestakov said.
He said there are plans to sign an agreement between the two countries' customs services, as well as an agreement in the area of fishing. Russia's Federal Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Oversight Service (Rosselkhoznadzor) has granted permission for several Sri Lankan companies to ship fish products to Russia, he added.
"We also discussed issues related to managing fish stocks, conducting research for Sri Lanka to study and assess fish stocks. In addition, there are good prospects for cooperation in the area of aquaculture," Shestakov said.
"I think that the range of the negotiated foundation will make it possible to soon say that cooperation will be expanded, that the newly installed government of Sri Lanka will continue the course toward strengthening political, trade and economic relations," Shestakov said.
The Sri Lankan co-chairman of the commission also stressed the importance of cooperation in agriculture, since "both countries are agricultural."
He said Sri Lankan farmers particularly expect to benefit from exporting fruit and vegetables to Russia during the winter. This will primarily be tropical and exotic fruit, while Sri Lanka will benefit from importing wheat and other grains from Russia, Tennakoon said.
The Sri Lankan members of the commission told their Russian counterparts about available investment opportunities in the areas of tourism and recreation, oil exploration, manufacturing, infrastructure development, information technology, outsource of business processes and healthcare, according to a press release issued after the meeting. They noted the advantages and opportunities for Russian investors taking into account bilateral free trade agreements that Sri Lanka has with India and Pakistan.
Russia's trade turnover with Sri Lanka totaled $436.6 million in 2015, including Russian exports of $129.5 million and imports of $307.1 million, Federal Customs Service data show.
Mineral products, mainly oil products, were Russia's biggest export to Sri Lanka in 2015, accounting for 38.2% of the total. Food and agricultural products followed with 34.7% of total exports, chemical products made up 11.6% and metals and metal products accounted for 8.5%. Food goods, primarily tea and agricultural raw materials, made up 64% of imports from Sri Lanka, and textiles, textile products and footwear accounted for 30.1%.
