Business and Media Forum in Uruguay: Prospects for Cooperation Between Russia and Latin America Countries Discussed

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, March 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Russia-Latin America Business and Media Forum took place in Montevideo (Uruguay) on March 28-29, 2016. It was organised by the Roscongress Foundation and the Bering-Bellingshausen Institute for the Americas. Supporting organizations were the Uruguay Government, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, of Economic Development, of Telecom and Mass Communications, of Energy, of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, and the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation.

The Russia-Latin America Business Forum brought to the table representatives of public authorities, business and expert communities. The following participants were among them: Sergei Dankvert, Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Russian Chapters of Intergovernmental Commissions between Russia and Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Ecuador; Anton Inyutsyn, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation; Demyan Smilevets, Deputy Director, International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation; Raúl Fernando Sendic Rodriguez, Vice President, Oriental Republic of Uruguay; Tabaré Aguerre, Minister of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries of Uruguay; Sergei Krivolapov, President, ROSATOM América Latina; Manuel García Solá, General Director, Centro Genético del Litoral; Sergei Brilev, expert of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Deputy Director of the Russia TV Channel.

Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committees of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum, stated: "Political and business elites of Latin America and the Caribbean express very strong interest in collaborating with Russia, structuring the dialogue on the basis of mutual trust and respect for one another's interests, promotion and enhancement of trade and economic cooperation. In this context, the Russia - Latin America Business and Media Forum has demonstrated that such major business events as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum are viewed here as the most effective platforms for establishing and maintaining direct contacts with Russian and international business communities."

The scope of the Forum included plenary sessions entitled 'International Cooperation: Joining Efforts to Improve Energy Efficiency and Develop the Power Industry' and 'Russia-Latin America. New Opportunities for Agricultural Cooperation', as well as a media session 'The Global Political and Economic Environment: The Russian and Latin-American Viewpoint'.

During the plenary session, the participants discussed the prospects for cooperation between Russia and Latin American countries and the opportunities emerging from the Eurasian integration processes for strengthening collaboration between countries, with a special focus on trade, economic and investment partnerships, support for Russian and Latin American business at the international level, and the search for new project finance models under today's conditions.

Forum participants discussed new horizons for agricultural cooperation at a separate session. Other important discussion topics were greater energy efficiency and the development of the countries of Latin America.

"Russia is today drawing up a serious agenda on the energy market. We have managed to form a strong infrastructure and acquire unique technological competences. The growth demonstrated by the Latin American countries will require collaboration through alliances for development of various projects that might constitute a firm foundation for further collaboration," Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Anton Inyutsyn stressed at the Forum.

During the media session 'The Global Political and Economic Environment: The Russian and Latin-American Viewpoint', the Bering-Bellingshausen Institute for the Americas presented a report on the situation on the Southern Cone commercial aviation market and the prospects for the Sukhoi Superjet (SSJ). In addition, a Spanish version of the Valdai Club report 'War and Peace in the 21^st Century' and Russia Beyond The Headlines project media partners' reports were also presented during this session.

At the event, many participants - official delegates - received personal invitations to continue the dialogue at the 20^th anniversary St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 16-18, 2016.