Russia growing mrkt, partner for Canada agriculture - minister.
2011-06-02 14:29:59
Canada and Russia have demonstrated the desire to strengthen bilateral relations and expressed willingness to work together to increase trade between the two countries, the press service of the Ministry of Agriculture of Canada thus commented on a meeting of the Canada-Russia Livestock Forum on Wednesday that was co-chaired by RF First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov and Agriculture Minister of Canada Gerry Ritz.
According to a news release of the Ministry of Agriculture of Canada, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz underlined the importance of Canada's growing partnership with Russia in the agriculture sector at the opening of the first Canada-Russia Livestock Forum held in Ottawa. Minister Ritz and Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov renewed their commitment to build on Canada and Russia’s strong ties and agreed to continue working together to increase bilateral trade for the benefit of farmers.
“Russia is a growing market and partner for Canada’s agriculture sector, especially for the livestock industry,” said Minister Ritz. “Gathering key players from both countries at events such as this forum ensures we continue to strengthen ties with our Russian partners and create opportunities for our farmers.”
Minister Ritz also took the opportunity to congratulate Genesus Genetics Inc., a company from Manitoba that just finalized an agreement to ship 4,100 Canadian live swine to Russia, a deal worth more than $5 million. According to Genesus Genetics Inc., this contract is the largest ever signed by Canada with Russia for registered purebred pigs.
Over the last three years Russia's annual average imports of livestock and genetics from Canada were worth $26 million in a potential market of $235 million and Russia's interest in Canadian products and expertise keeps growing. Canada is an ideal partner for Russia to help its livestock sector develop to its full potential with key agricultural inputs - machinery, technology, knowledge and expertise.
Under the theme “Partners in Livestock Excellence,” the Canada-Russia Livestock Forum brings together leading business representatives and government officials to strengthen bilateral relations with the aim of increasing trade and knowledge transfer between the two countries.
Growing domestic demand combined with vast natural resource wealth has made Russia a prime destination for the export of Canadian goods and services and for new Canadian foreign direct investment. To help facilitate closer economic ties between Canada and Russia, the governments of both countries participate in the Canada-Russia Intergovernmental Economic Commission (IEC). Working groups are active year-round in the areas of agri-food and agriculture, fuel and energy, construction and housing, mining, and the Arctic and North.
The first ever Canada-Russia Business Summit, was held March 26–27, 2007, in Ottawa. This event successfully combined the 6th session of the Canada-Russia IEC, co-chaired by Minister Emerson and Russian Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev, and the second meeting of the Canada-Russia Business Council (CRBC). Interest and attendance from both sides was high with over 300 participants including special guest Vladislav Tretyak, the famed Russian goalie in the 1972 Canada Russia hockey summit, now Duma member and co-chair of the Canada Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The last Business Summit was planned for 2008 in Russia. The 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia will provide new commercial opportunities following Vancouver’s 2010 Olympics.