Press center

11.09.2024

Prospects of Cooperation with Indian Companies Were Discussed in Astrakhan

The Astrakhan Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted online negotiations between representatives of the government and business circles of the region, as well as the chambers of commerce and industry of the states of Gujarat and Kerala, the cities of Trivandrum and Bangalore, and the business community of the Republic of India. The event took place under the initiative of Ratish Nair, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in the Republic of India and Director of the Russian House in Trivandrum, with the support of the Ministry of External Relations of the Astrakhan Region. Alexander Kim, Director General of SEZ Lotus JSC, also participated in the meeting.

 The Astrakhan Region and India have a long-standing trade relationship. According to Ilya Toropitsyn, Deputy Minister of External Relations of the region, the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor is currently one of the main issues of cooperation between the two countries. For example, the number of deliveries of goods to India via the Astrakhan water transport hub has notably increased since 2022.

 – In fact, our region is the Russian gateway in the Caspian Sea and one of the main logistics hubs of the transport corridor. In 2023, the Astrakhan ports handled 4.5 million tons of cargo. In the first 7 months of the current year, the cargo turnover was 3.2 million tons, which is 36% more than in the same period last year, – noted Ilya Toropitsyn.

 The investment potential of the Port SEZ and the Industrial-Production SEZ of the Astrakhan Region was presented to the Indian partners at the meeting. Thanks to the existing port capacities as well as the modern infrastructure of the Port SEZ, the region can become a major logistics hub on the INSTC route.

 The Indian side expressed interest in projects developing the INSTC, including those on the territory of the Astrakhan Region. Apurva Shah, Vice President of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, proposed holding online negotiations between representatives of the Indian and Astrakhan business circles in October 2024, with the aim of establishing direct contacts. He said that the chemical, ceramic, pharmaceutical industries are the main areas of activity of Indian companies interested in establishing cooperation.