Russia discussing increase in grain supplies to Middle East countries - Kremlin presidential aide

MOSCOW. Dec 7 (Interfax) - Russia, a leader on the global wheat market, intends to boost grain exports to countries in the Middle East and is discussing this possibility with partners, Kremlin aide Maxim Oreshkin said.

"The [Russian] President [Vladimir Putin] was on a trip to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia yesterday. There they discussed the matter of increasing supplies of Russian grain to the markets of these countries," Oreshkin said on Thursday at the Russia Calling! investment forum.

Oreshkin said that all major consumers are involved in trading with Russia, including Turkey and China.

The world grain market is "finally becoming global and normal," as opposed to "oligopolistic, controlled by a small number of global traders," he said.

"And in this regard there is only positive development, many new partners will emerge, different countries. Therefore, I'm confident that there is great potential here. Including in grain trading between Russia and Turkey, in creation of production chains. There's enough grain. The greater the demand, the more [grain] will be produced in Russia. There are only great prospects for joint work here," Oreshkin said, responding to a question from a representative of Turkey.