First combined business delegation to Moscow

MANILA, Philippines - Mikhail Nikolaev, deputy chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and president of the International Public Movement “Eastern Dimension,” recently conferred on Roberto de Venecia, chairman of the Philippines-Russia Business Council and head of the official Business Delegation to Russia, a Medal of Citation and certificate for his contribution to the development and strengthening of cooperation between the Russian Federation, the Philippines, and the Asia Pacific.

De Venecia, who headed the official business delegation in the very recent 1st Combined Business Delegation of the Business Council and PCCI to Russia, was rewarded with the International Order. The Eastern Dimension is an international public movement initiated by the Federal Assembly.

The Federal Assembly is the upper chamber of the parliament of Russia — equivalent to the Senate of the Philippines — that organizes activities under the Government of Russia in close cooperation with Russia’s Commission on ASEAN Affairs and Business Councils, all intended to form favorable conditions for the expansion of commerce and investments.

Nikolaev was two-time president of the Republic of Yakutia (located in the Russian Far East).

De Venecia presented to the Federal Assembly concerns related to tourism promotions both inbound and outbound, promoting bilateral trade, oil exploration and development, visa restrictions, direct flights to the Philippines, and periodic dialogue for medium- to long-term cooperation.

During the meeting on April 12 in Moscow at the Federal Assembly, De Venecia presented key points of economic endeavor to promote and encourage trade from Russia to the Philippines:

• Cooperation in the area of oil and gas exploration and development;

• Supply and importation of crude oil, diesel fuel and processed oil products;

• Importation of commodities directly from producers such as wheat, fertilizers (urea), steel billets, minerals, and coal;

• To operate a pioneering trade route through the establishment of direct flights from Moscow, Yakutsk, Vladivostok and/or Far East Russia to destinations in the Philippines, to include lucrative destinations in Southeast Asia;

• Cooperation and/or investments in petrochemicals, agribusiness and hardware for military and commercial application;

• Tourism development to increase tourist traffic to further encourage economic cooperation between businessmen from Russia and the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

From the Philippines to Russia, key points were:

• Supply of processed food and tuna fish, fresh tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango and bananas, live fish and crustaceans;

• Deployment of qualified English-speaking and technical manpower and services;

• Deployment of leading companies to open market opportunities and trade;

• Cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, communications, and wood processing;

• Production and distribution of beverages, fruit juices, beer, and packaging;

• Cooperation and investments in oil and gas-related exploration and development in areas with proven reserves. This will involve participation of lead business groups from the Philippines and dominant establishments from North and Southeast Asia.

De Venecia further discussed with officials immediate and urgent concerns to fortify his council’s proposals, namely:

1.   Improve the visa situation for Philippine businessmen and tourists when traveling to Russia. In contrast, Russians visiting the Philippines are not required to secure a visa. However, beyond 21 days they will be required to apply for a visa. There is the need for reciprocity in this area.

2.   Assistance by way of introductions to establish contact and cooperation with business personalities and establishments based in the Russian Far East to sustain our business development efforts.

De Venecia also proposed the creation of an “ASEAN Cooperation Center” in Moscow under the leadership of chairman Nikolaev and the aegis of the Eastern Dimension. Within this center will house representatives from government or commercial organizations from the different countries of the ASEAN region, including the Philippines.

The proposal intends to encourage more cooperation among ASEAN member countries and businessmen, especially from the Philippines, with the Russian Federation. De Venecia is confident that this initiative will ultimately spur economic activity, which can redound to the benefit of all participants.

The Combined Business Delegation also had dialogues and exchanges with the leaders and member establishments of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, and also met with dominant businessmen representing key sectors of industries.