[000:00:00;00] now back to st. petersburg, where the russia africa forum is being held, i give the floor to dari kozlova, she will ask several questions to the head of the ministry of economic development maxim reshetnikova, now the guest of our studio is the minister of economic development maxim reshetnikov maxim gennadievich hello maxim gennadievich well, it seems to me that it is already the first hours of work forum and russia africa themselves showed that there really is a huge demand, both from the russian side. how is it with the african to increase cooperation and in the first place turn, of course, trade is this figure, which we are all discussing today 18 billion dollars of trade. how do you rate it? what work has been done since the last summit in 2019, and what goals are set for part of the fact that africa is one of such important - one of the most important areas

for the reorientation of our exports, and, let's say , restarting the readjustment of value chains. and in general , russia's place in the world economy. at the same time , we are not starting work in africa. we introduced it, if we look, then for ten, but for that's for the past decade, goods turnover has increased 10 times. therefore, from this point of view, 18 billion is a lot from the point of view that africa is now one and a half billion people; man is the biggest market. and here, moreover, the market, which is growing, and the president today gave figures on the growth of the economy, which is moving. uh, global economic growth on average. yes, that is, in general, africa is settled, at a faster pace. and from this point of view, of course. our task. there thirtieth year to at least double the turnover. well, for comparison, we have more than

$40 billion with belarus alone. yes, there is all of africa and 18, so the accuracy is more than that. ah, africa well, in a sense, our comfortable partner and natural consumer of those goods that we produce , the population is growing, consumption is growing, respectively , agricultural products, food - this is, in general, our strong point, we have overclocked, uh, the agro-industrial complex, which produces a lot and is ready to produce even more extremely efficient, therefore. we need such consumers, and africa will produce more agricultural products itself. and this means the consumption of our fertilizers , the consumption of agricultural machinery that we have to produce, and in africa in many countries there is a very low level, but the security of access to electricity. and that means, uh, energy consumption in africa will grow. this means that this is the demand of our atom for our sun for our technology in hydropower. yes, and, in principle, in traditional energy, where we can also produce equipment, where we can also supply energy resources

and oil and gas and and coal and supply it that's why. so powerful for a powerful volume of consumption, plus, of course, the engineering industry, the same trucks that we produce kamaz, is expanding quite strongly there, and to africa well, not only other automakers, too, plus transport engineering africa has all the railways and will continue to develop the network railways. well, in general, everything that we just did there in soviet times, we still can and there is still demand for it, and we here, uh, ready to interact with africa. at the same time, of course, africa is also skilled workers, so as part of this operation we can complement each other very well, but it is clear that this growth will not happen on its own. to do this, you need to make some effort. and these efforts. we are applying now. this , including the conclusion of an agreement on a free trade zone, we now, and at the level of the european union

, are already negotiating with egypt there are a number of other countries in algeria, so we also supply everything here. well, it's probably important. that this growth in trade turnover will still require efforts in other areas. well, on the agenda is the transition of the calculation in the national currency. yes, this is the connection of e-banks of african systems for transferring financial messages, a transfer to settlement in rubles, because africa is still used to working in dollars in euros, and so on. here, at the same time , it must be said that, of course, africa is this competitive field. many understand the prospects of this market. and it's not only and america europe china is very active in this market. and us here. in general, you also need to know how. well, with china and we cooperate and compete, yes, well, i understand. we can always find compromises with them, and many countries, for example, the united arab emirates yes , have become such an effective hub that collects flows and works with africa. here and here. we must also apply and implement new projects. for example, we

have a project on a special zone in egypt, and we have two there. now the second site, if on the shores of the red sea is very convenient, and we expect before the end of the year, too, there is also a new logistics opening production there. that is, also to make such a hub. it’s your own hub for africa, but africa is a big destination, there are many here, therefore, of course, russian business has a demand for infrastructure, because our well -mongoxon countries and europe and america are unscrupulously competing now, they just squeeze us out and don’t give us access. to the same ports to the mooring walls. you know all these issues related to insurance and so further. this is what needs to be overcome. and for this it is necessary to create an independent e -infrastructure, but also in partnership with our friendly countries, the arab world, southeastern aziz china, and so on. that's why here we have such. well, new directions of work and new tasks. opened here. well, that's all. we are discussing this with our colleagues. it is being discussed at

the highest level. the president, of course, pays the closest attention to this issue and in detail. not at bilateral meetings, which are here a lot of all these questions are spoken out. indeed, there are difficulties in overcoming rodionny, which we are currently working on, including work within the framework of the russia africa forum. you just said about infrastructure, and in fact, this problem with the lack of infrastructure is also faced by other countries with which we are now we compete in africa and you already said that it is necessary to invest in the development of port infrastructure, what else do we need, do we need new logistics chains, transport routes, as we should work so that we have all the opportunities to increase trade to increase our communication, we are now looking at africa africa is such a logical next step in the development of infrastructure of the same, for example, the corridor and north south, we now, you know, agreed with iran on the device railways, and we agreed with kazakhstan and turkmenistan along the eastern route. in the caspian sea

, azerbaijan is currently working on the issues of modernizing their railway infrastructure. in general, it is already clear that we are on the coast of the persian gulf. yes, uh, uh means. and the ports of iran have a developed infrastructure. in general, we will deliver there, which means that our goods will go further. yes, then we need to plan logistics here . one part of the cargo should go to india, the other part should go, just to the arab countries and then to africa, yes. we are talking about the fact that we need points in east africa, we need, but we need a point in egypt of course, as it were, to north africa, so now we will do this we are looking for, we are looking for these ports have been working since the twentieth year in order to actually open a logistics point for us to open a logistics point. we wait. by the way, in the near future, maybe tomorrow, here, and the view of the president of sudan. we hope to discuss the possibility

of cooperation with him, including in port infrastructure, because in the base of port infrastructure, first of all, of course, the mooring wall, which require investment . and business. with uh, terminals will be developed, of course. which grain terminals fertilizers, petroleum products, this is what is required, well, and plus, of course , we need a fleet that will transport all this, but we see in other areas that russian business is quite active, and it quickly gets into operation, quickly reorganizes , sets up another the moment that, of course, work with africa has its own, but its specifics, after all, and the level of development, and the risks, as it were, are quite high, so here the state, first of all, through the export e-risk insurance mechanism, and ready to substitute a shoulder, increase the limits. recently, the limits were increased for eight countries in africa. they also revised the ratings for five countries, which means they changed them, but

all this is aimed at separating the business maternally. yes, on the other hand. we must also understand that, well, business must also take the honor of risks upon itself, yes, because alone we can do it right. markets to compete considering all this pressure. and so on to provide big discounts, at another point incur, there may be slightly more transportation costs, transaction costs, but at the same time open up new markets. where uh, respectively, discounts. yes, they will be significantly less, therefore, here, together with business. we will discuss and implement all these issues. what other support measures does the ministry of economic development offer the opportunity to prepare for those who can walk well, probably, our main task is, after all, of course, non-sustainable environment, and these conditions, yes, and investment protection from this point

of view. we have six promotion protection agreements with african countries. uh, investment, ah, which well, such a frame. in general, protection is good. we are negotiating with two more. well, we will continue working together with the business at the request of the business. and so here are the main directions. this is precisely the protection of investments and a free trade zone - this is what needs to be created plus this. well, let's just say the final decision is not yet, including financial, but today the president uttered an important important phrase on the creation of a fund that will support investments, because, of course, without such state support, capital participation in the same port infrastructure. or maybe in some kind of additional transport infrastructure, of course, the business is completely at risk , well, it will not be ready, therefore, it is necessary to share risks more actively, but of course, but it will also have to be budgeted, let's say, so some risks are guaranteed or in capital enter. here without

this is also not possible. well, changing is changing our approach and our own worldview in relation to foreign investment. eh, the current situation makes our foreign policy so much more long-term. i would say more mature, because if we used to, well, in general, they came to us. we sold goods in our ports on conditions, but now we are really becoming such a global player who is forced to complete the chain already to the consumer in a particular country. means to take over transportation logistics insurance calculations. well, in general, as a result, the ruble is increasingly used as an international one. but as a reserve currency. yes, internationally . well, i think that after going through this , we will, of course, get a much more systemic , serious support system, e.g. international. our activities and foreign trade

activities are to protect investments and are ready to build this together with african countries that are also determined to protect their sovereignty. although of course, the process is not simple. no one here has any illusions. it's a big long way. well it a more systematic fundamental approach, indeed for decades to come. yes, strategically we are becoming less vulnerable. ah, some decision of third countries shocks and so on. we will end up putting in most of the added value that we used to give away. uh, international brokers. but we, of course, will cooperate much more closely, another point is that all this leads to this. a more serious competitive environment in the global world markets, well, unfortunately, competitors are very often act dishonestly. well, let's keep it in mind to trade land, including gennadievich. thank you very much for the interview. i hope you sum up the results at the next third one, russia africa, because now all agreements are concluded until 2026

. i look signed there, and there are collaborations 23-26 until the thirtieth year. although i think that in relation to africa and well, in general , one must always act locally. but think about setting tasks globally, so the thirtieth year is also clearly not the end point of our cooperation. thank you very much live in st. petersburg. we talked with the minister of economic development of russia at most. reshetnikova dmitry now i convey the word we will return. your guests and continue. on the basis of parishes, the russian orthodox church in africa will provide assistance to african children, the corresponding agreement

was signed today at the forum in st. petersburg. discussion platform, moreover, one of the main topics that is stated in the relationship between russia and the country of the african continent is humanitarian interaction and, uh, caring for children, this is education, and u help, uh, poor countries, just to the children had a normal future. uh , just in uh is listed in uh one of the priorities is the continent that everyone calls dynamic, developing, including from a demographic point of view. isn't this too big a task for russia no, miracles. apparatus commissioner is involved in the fate of the children of the arab republics, we have helped and are helping the children of donbass before they enter the russian federation we have tremendous experience in helping children who find themselves in such difficult situations, and we know that the children of africa suffer from malnutrition 30% of children , for example, die before the age of five. i'm

not talking about medicine about education. and it is important for us that we are able to bring those systemic projects that have been working on the territory of the russian federation to our friendly countries and african and in the fields today. at the summit, we are launching four humanitarian projects at once, which were supported by the president and supported by the patriarch of the russian orthodox church. literally an hour ago. we have signed an agreement with archamus of the russian orthodox church in africa, vladyka vladyka leonid, that on the basis of the parishes of the russian orthodox church in africa, we will do various humanitarian projects to help children. and it will be birdies. which will allow e children to participate in the first place in the process of creating jobs and growing birds eggs, yes and thus feed, because, for example, children eat once a day according to statistics in africa and meat. they get it once a week and it's a good bet. and now we will open a farm, uh, agricultural. that is, now we are distributing

grain to parishes and further. this means that people will grow their own food, and we are opening a laboratory in kenya, a medical laboratory that will allow for examinations. uh, a whole complex and yes, a children's laboratory, but because if we are talking about medicine, for example, no, and in gurund, for example, there are no children's hospitals, in general, that is, there is simply a department at adult hospitals. it is very important for us now to expand this direction and make it autonomous. yes, that's according to childhood medicine. we are now talking about projects that are on the scale, in general, of the whole range of issues. they are. i agree that all big things consist of small steps like that, but which, it seems to me, now, yes, here we are all practically charity events, they really start to work massively when there is real interaction business authorities, like here, uh, work in progress. we are currently negotiating with a number of companies that are present in the

african countries of this mermaid. these are rusato cars with our companies. yes and. i really hope that well here is the funding part. we have already found the projects that i have outlined. we will start with them, you understand, it is important that today this is not the case. just a discussion. that's why we're running a spot hive. let it be small, but it is important that this work should start, that this interaction should start, that we should start not just talk. yes, but they have already begun to do something with their hands. unfortunately. of course mine. uh, my arrest warrant won't allow me to travel from an african country to a number of african countries . i think i'd love to do it myself, but i'm good. yes, the sanction of the young international criminal court yes, but also how it would limit the work a little when we started all this. it was a little easier and freer here, but you won't be able to go. do you understand the problem is that the road to africa is not always straight and where we don't know if the plane will land, but in this or that

country, which, for example, has ratified the operation of the international criminal court, and therefore there is a danger in general. and of course, i won’t take risks, because it’s important that we do the job, yes, but also that i don’t set me up, but not myself, not the country, so , uh, now the team is already at a low start, the guys are already preparing to the first trip to the audit of what is there. we already have a proposal to allocate land for the construction of shelters for orphans. we have there is already a proposal to open a school. today we heard that the president indicated that schools should be opened not only with the study of the russian language, but also a number of educational subjects should be in russian, for example, yes, that is, we are now everything is complex, we will definitely to do, but in order to start doing it systematically, you need to start at least doing something. yes and here is the last question, probably, yes, this is the purpose of this event of this russia forum africa is not only to establish a dialogue

between russia and african countries, but also to establish this inter-african dialogue. we know that there are countries in africa that are developed, that are quite rich , there are even countries right next door that they cannot boast of at all. and they won't be able to for a very long time. here you feel . here is a humanitarian dialogue between countries that are looking for quite recently were at enmity with each other. and it seems to me that any platform that allows you to start talking to each other. she will definitely help building relationships of helping each other, and the opportunity to hear each other, therefore, of course, our own russia africa forum is of a humanitarian form, but only economic, but we have identified a separate humanitarian block, which, uh, still prevails , uh, on today's sites, so i i am sure that this will not go unnoticed and the countries among themselves, including e, will find some new forms of interaction. yes , neighbors, sometimes it’s also easier to agree, maybe not easier, maybe more difficult, but

geographically simpler, of course, of course, thank you very much good luck. thanks it. the first working day of the forum. russia africa is coming to an end, but work in our studio does not stop there are dozens of thematic sessions, immediately after which guests of honor come to our studio now, of course, a guest in our studio is the president of the russian union of industrialists and entrepreneurs alexander shokhina alexander nikolayevich hello alexander nikolayevich well, you really feel that there is a request from russian business to develop relations with african ones. strange coming to african markets, everyone is now saying that our relations with the north of africa are really developing very well. egypt algeria morocco and what about other african countries, what should we do to make our business come , including, let's say, to the equator, you know, in fact, the concept of equatorial,

africa well, a little bit, as they say, uh , wrong, we are talking about strange south, sugar south of sakhalin, uh, by the way, we have a kind of sandwich. well, empty, until two pieces, as they say, appetizing bread north africa south. africa is the whole middle. we do not have what has fallen, we are working with her. and well, for example, our manufacturers of the exporter of mineral fertilizers work both in east africa and in west africa and ours. well, let's say metallurgical companies, such as mermaids , work guineas in the same low bay at one time, lukoil buril into the deepest well up to 4 km. well, it’s true, uh, for obvious reasons , this project had to be frozen, but nevertheless, it was not only uh, uh, let’s say, projects that gave some kind of current benefit, but i techno-high-tech

projects that have shaped and such an industrial industrial image of a number of. strange. in particular. these are sub -saharan countries, and i must say that our companies are not only business. not only technology. they are very much involved in sustainable development issues. there are such sustainable development goals. it is up to the thirtieth year in 17 goals and most of them are directly related to africa is the solution of the problem and hunger. and uh access to water to electricity and so on and you know the companies have been involved in this work for several years. back when japanese colleagues sat in the twenty and in particular in the business twenty. they decided to submit a book on how companies are engaged in sustainable development and it turned out, uh, using the example of africa, we are this business, and it turned out that uh, half of the book is examples of our companies that work in africa, just

taking into account such social aspects of their presence. uh, therefore , it is not necessary to say that we have a method of relations with central east africa, but they are still good examples, but single examples are like that. e, let's say e, passed to show character, which must be followed unconditionally. uh, but uh, now we need to talk, including not only when the interests of specific companies move, by the way, there are many engineering companies as well. so today i moderated a session where uh. several speeches from the russian automotive industry , for example, yes, he is ready to promote his products, and in a wide range, er, and not only in principle, light trucks there or light commercial vehicles, but also a line wide diesels, hybrids, electric and so on. well, it is clear that here, uh, in

order to compete with all the same chinese uh, manufacturers, you need to have volumes. this is an opportunity to reduce the cost of after-sales services. e opportunities to give some discounts. and if the volumes are small, nothing is possible, so there is certainly such political support. more than that, e today, at several sessions, it was said that there is a kind of information hunger that our company does not know well, and e the possibility of promoting its business products, e investments in african countries. i understand how the law works. eh, and so uh. well, in particular, now some federal executive bodies of the ministry of industry and trade, in particular, are forming such a database, firstly, uh, they are forming such a register of companies that are interested in africa and

vice versa. uh, through uh, well, some subordinate structures of such an expert analytical center, with which , by the way, we signed a cooperation agreement today, such as rpr. uh, we'll be like this time to practice. eh, so to speak, by filling this information vacuum, but seamlessly, digital platforms are also needed here. we would like to immediately work in digital, what is called so that everyone can find on a platform that will be agreed with our african colleagues and a potential partner and, uh, conditions in the markets. other, well, definitely. hey, that's an important story too. this is a payment settlement relationship. in our company from swifta, banks are also turned off, and certainly, in order to promote even in sensitive industries such as the supply of grain, mineral fertilizers and so on to promote our

products. and we can provide a billion people, probably in the world, with our grain and mineral fertilizers. ah, mineral fertilizers. the good news is that the harvest will be good, including in africa itself. africa , by the way, will be able to in due time. uh, zimba was an exporter of grains to the world markets, but then the revolution and so on. and now it is again starting to use the advanced technologies of russian belarusian companies in the production of mineral fertilizers. again, as it were, to restore what was once lost, uh, so, uh, it is certainly a very important moment to create not only the possibility of trading in national currencies. you see, now we have an imbalance, if we take the best years - these are somewhere, uh, figures

such as russia's exports to africa 23 billion in the nineteenth year, and imports from africa 3 billion. yes, if we trade in national currencies, then to put it mildly, we we will find ourselves with a large number of exotic currencies and it is not a fact that there will be where to spend them. uh, in addition, logistics suffer if there er, container ships come here with cargo, then they return back at best half empty, and sometimes just empty, so transaction costs are quite high . firstly, secondly, how to implement the payment system, and thirdly, how to build information for potential partners, and opportunities to work in each other's markets. we were just talking about the fact that we are ready to provide not

only finished products, but also technologies for so that, by the way, president putin also said about this that we are many specific companies. so i moderated the session and there it was about getting around the solutions of one of the digital companies. uh, we are not a black box, we are providing an open technology that you know how it works and, uh, you yourself can work with it to improve and so on. and this is a feature of our relationship, that we do not hide the technology, of course, it cannot be said that we are the most advanced in all areas. technology sometimes we ourselves they borrowed something and now many are experiencing just e difficulties with the supply of components that came there from the same europe or south korea, japan there and north america, e, but this is the period of

import substitution adaptation now. well, not that it has already ended, but at least our company has adapted. uh, some technological solutions may already be available to these challenges, so to speak , to supply e to the african market on a turnkey basis, but i must say that africa, after all, we are used to treating it as a growing region, but everything is in the future, but they have a lot of digital high tech solutions. they have made great progress in the same, in the same fent, digital technology, national payment relations. and they have currencies somewhere, we are still catching up, so we need to catch up , including in order to combine our payment and settlement digital solutions, because without uh advanced solutions in this uh area. it is difficult for us to introduce its traditional trade, because these very

traditional opportunities are closed. besides, in africa there are, uh, eight sub-regional integration associations. uh, and some of them are already starting. uh, we still had a single currency, uh, and in this regard, our eurasian union has someone who managed to create this single currency, when to negotiate. uh, so it's fair to say that we're collaborating. total can be discussed, but unfortunately, thank you very much development