“Khyanty-Mansiysk Region is popularly known as the oil region, ranked 7th in oil reserves worldwide. It has huge deposits of natural gas to last for 150 years to come. The potential is huge, generating 2 billion barrels a year. In economic terms, we are ranked 2nd after the Moscow region. Our tax reform system is ranked 2nd. The region produces 50 per cent of Russia’s total oil production”, said Mr. Alexander Kim, First Deputy Governor of the Khanty-Manslysk Autonomous Okrug accompanied by a delegation, during an interactive meeting jointly organized on 13th January 2015 by MVIRDC World Trade Center and All India Association of Industries at World Trade Center Mumbai.

Highlighting the Khanty-Manslysk Region, Mr. Kim further added that 86 billion kilowatts of oil is being exported to neighbouring regions. The region ranks 2nd after the Yamal Peninsula in Russia. Besides oil, the other major export area is transportation of gas. Currently, there are 85 oil companies in the region. In addition, there are more than 30 deposits of solid minerals.

Some of the other areas Khanty-Manslysk is famous for are medicines & healthcare, a highly developed infrastructure comprising modern roads, railways and waterways. The Centre of Active International Cooperation is instrumental in expanding international partnerships. Mr.Kim spoke of future cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector and gas-based fertilizers. He opined that the signing of the MoUs would only bring about further impetus to the $1 billion worth of projects which is a two-way investment between India and Russia.

Ms. Alfiya Pavkina, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug exchanging MoU with Mr. Y R Warerkar, Executive Director, MVIRDC World Trade Center. Others are Mr. Alexander Kim, Vice Governor of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, All India Association of Industries, Director-Projects, MVIRDC World Trade Center and Ms. Queenie Nair, Director, All India Association of Industries

Ms. Alfiya Pavkina, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug, who was part of the delegation, introduced her Chamber saying that it was more than 20 years old, having worldwide standing. The Chamber promotes tourism, oil & gas, construction and development of agriculture, besides being a Business Council and Association. The Chamber also helps create clusters and promotes sectoral business. She mentioned that the Chamber was keen on forging ties and building up a strong cooperation with the World Trade Center Mumbai, especially for development of SMEs in Khanty Mansiysk region. The Chamber looked to us for support and professionalism. The Chamber provides a conducive environment for joint ventures and trading houses.

Further, Ms. Pavkina added that the chamber provided protection for businesses, serving as a mediation centre in case of any dispute. Regarding its international engagements, the Chamber was active in Congresses and other worldwide promotional activities. They have sent business delegations to various countries and would be interested to send delegations to India in the future, if there were upcoming and bright projects. Several agreements have been signed with International Partners. With regard to the Chamber’s future participation in international events, some of them include ‘7th International IT Forum with participation of BRICS’ in June 2015, ‘Specialized Exhibition Ugra’ in November 2015 and ‘Goods of Ugra Land’ in December 2015.

Earlier, Mr. Y. R. Warerkar, Executive Director, MVIRDC World Trade Center while acknowledging the excellent potential that lies between India and Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug in the field of Oil & Gas said that India’s export to Russia is US$ 2121.26, while imports stood at US$ 3,894.40 in FY 2013-14. India’s exports include pharmaceuticals, miscellaneous manufactures, iron & steel, apparels, tea, coffee and tobacco while Imports such as defence and nuclear power equipment, fertilizers, electrical machinery, steels and diamonds. Mr. Warerkar then introduced the Centre and the various departments and facilities available.

Mrs. Rupa Naik, Director-Projects and Executive Director, All India Association of Industries presented a broad overview of the 5th edition of the Global Economic Summit 2015 on the theme: ‘Enabling Food for All’ on the agriculture and food processing sectors and allied industries.

On the occasion, Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between MVIRDC World Trade Center and the Government of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug and All India Association of Industries and the Government of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug.

Ms. Rupa Naik proposed the vote of thanks.