Russia, Venezuela agree on supply of agricultural products

CARACAS. Dec 15 (Interfax) - An agreement on the supply of agricultural products has been reached at a meeting of the Russian-Venezuelan Intergovernmental Commission.

Russia opened its market to seven Venezuelan fish exporters in November 2022, Commission Cochairman, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said. "A lot will be done in this area in 2023. More than 50 Russian and over 40 Venezuelan meat, fish and dairy product manufacturers are interested in becoming suppliers," he said.

Venezuelan Petroleum Minister, Commission Cochairman Tareck El Aissami said, for his parts, that the sides are updating a trade agreement on the export and import of beef, shrimp, seafood, soybeans and sorghum, and are seeking to broaden the range of Venezuelan products "on the Russian table."

The supply of fertilizers to Venezuelan agriculture has been growing, Novak said. "The shipments grew 12% year-on-year," he said.

Venezuelan Agriculture Minister Wilmar Castro thanked Russia for its certification of five Venezuelan shrimp enterprises and noted that Venezuela had certified nine Russian meat manufacturers.

"Companies will begin deliveries shortly," Castro said.

There is a potential for mango, banana, watermelon, pineapple, melon, passionfruit, coffee and cocoa supplies for Russia, he said.

Venezuela has requested sunflower and legume supplies.

According to Castro, Venezuela is a supplier of shrimp, crab and other kinds of seafood.

Russia and Venezuela are developing cooperation in pharmaceuticals, Novak said. Eleven Russian drugs and vaccines have been registered in Venezuela of late. "We are ready to supply Russian cancer drugs. [...] A total of 1.5 mln flu vaccine dosages will be delivered after the New Year," he said.

The modernization of insulin production in Venezuela using Russian technology is a landmark project, Novak said. "It will create over 570 highly skilled jobs. Production will kick off in 2024. We are working together on a joint center for the research and prevention of infectious diseases in Venezuela," he said.

Russian IT companies have a keen interest in the Venezuelan market, Novak said. "Our businesses are ready to offer solutions for telecommunications, the protection of critical information infrastructure, and urban digitalization. We hail the establishment of the respective sub-commission," he said.