GOVPH

Russian Agricultural Association Seeks Cooperation with Philippine Exporters

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta thanks Mr. George Bezumatov, Executive Director of the Association of Producers, Importers and Exporters of Fresh Produce (APIEFP) after their productive first meeting at the APIEFP offices in Moscow.

30 June 2017 MOSCOW — Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta met with officials of the Association of Producers, Importers and Exporters of Fresh Produce (APIEFP), Executive Director George Bezumatov and Project Manager Mr. Vadim Aniskin, on June 06 at their offices in Moscow. He was accompanied by the Embassy’s economic officer, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Catherine Alpay.

APIEFP is a non-profit organization duly recognized by the Russian government, which seeks to advocate the interests of its members to the Russian government and other relevant institutions, in line with greater accessibility of imported fresh produce into Russia. The organization currently has 11 Russian and 11 foreign members who operate as importers or exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Ambassador went to the APIEFP offices upon the invitation of Executive Director Bezumatov, with the expressed intention of developing relationships with Philippine exporters who are interested in penetrating the Russian market.

“We would gladly offer our facilities and experience for increasing trade relations with prominent banana growers and exporters from the Philippines,” stated Mr. Bezumatov who also noted the “remarkable progress” that the Philippines and Russia have made in strengthening bilateral cooperation, highlighted by the official visit of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to Russia just a few weeks prior to his meeting the Ambassador.

Ambassador Sorreta, in response, thanked Mr. Bezumatov for getting in touch with him. “We believe that there is much that the Philippines can offer to Russia,” stated the Ambassador. “We’re glad to know of organizations such as yourself who come forward now and make your interest in partnering with the Philippines known. We want to let our businessmen back home be aware and excited about the opportunities here in Russia, and we hope this will translate to a definite boost in our bilateral trade in the near future.”

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph. END

Ambassador Sorreta (right) in the thick of discussions regarding APIEFP’s advocacies, interests and business intelligence about the Philippines. The Ambassador eagerly listened to Director Bezumatov (center) and Mr. Vadim Aniskin, APIEFP Project Manager and also Editor-in-Chief of RussiafruiT magazine as they talked about Russian market access for bananas, mangoes, and other agricultural products from around the world.