“Turn to the East” became a highlight of the first day of the Agro-Industrial Forum in Bashkortostan

Two years of active work by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Belarus and the republic’s farmers to build trade relations with the countries representing it have confirmed a fairly loyal and friendly partnership attitude towards Russian agricultural producers. This was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan -Minister of Agriculture Ilshat Fazrakhmanov in his speech at the international track “Turn to the East”, which became a highlight in the business program of the Agricultural Forum and the 34th international exhibition “Agrocomplex”.
“But the mentality in the countries is quite different and therefore we will have to adapt to those conditions, and, probably, to the traditions that have developed in these markets,” he emphasized.
The head of the regional agricultural department believes that, in fact, life itself is pushing agricultural producers in the region to reorient commodity flows to the East . At the same time, he noted the presence of rich experience in interaction with European importers with their more attractive logistics in terms of price, while recognizing the incomparably greater capacity of the Eastern and Asian markets, with which long-term reliable relations will have to be established.
“Two years of work with China, with the CIS countries, and the start of deliveries to India and African countries gave us the feeling that there is an attitude, probably more friendly. The only thing that is a limiting factor is, of course, complex logistics,” he said.
Ilshat Fazrakhmanov views the situation as “a difficult challenge for our exporting enterprises.” At the same time, he expressed confidence that “firstly, excitement, secondly, interest, and thirdly, the stability of the currency, which is the yuan,” should come to the rescue.
“The conversion takes place very quickly - a few seconds, there is an advance payment. Our banks are converting everything at this stage - we have no problems. Therefore, despite all the difficulties facing us, we need to overcome difficulties and, of course, further increase trade turnover. They say that we “harness slowly,” but here we harnessed quickly,” the minister concluded.
The representative of China supported the positive attitude set by the host party. In his detailed report, Ma Wanli, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the People's Government of Henan Province of the People's Republic of China (PRC), introduced the audience in detail to the economic potential of the Province, placing the necessary emphasis on agricultural activities.
“We, of course, will hope to inform us and provide all kinds of preferences. We would like to know more about what support measures will be provided to Henan businesses that are interested in investing in your region. We, for our part, will, of course, provide full support,” said Ma Wanli.
Chairman of the Russian-Asian Business Council (RABC), founder of the “Turn to the East” project Maxim Kuznetsov, who took on the role of moderator, also believes that in the context of the large number of challenges that our enterprises face, turning to the East “has become a kind of panacea "
Other speakers, including representatives of JSC Russian Railways Logistics, focused on practical points that can be effectively used by farmers in the region and guests of the event.