The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry visited Moscow, Russia on invitation from OPORA Russia from 7th to 12th November 2016.

OPORA Russia, Moscow is the regional department of the Russian non-government organization for small and medium entrepreneurs. It works efficiently in a whole range of the areas to execute its key tasks covering representation of the interests of small and medium businesses in Russia and in Moscow. Their goals include the improvement of the existing relevant legislations in Russia, protection of the entrepreneurs’ rights and interests and interacting with various authorities with the objective being addressing the issues confronting MSMEs in Russia.

The visit was organized with active support from the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata.

Mr. Subhodip Ghosh, Director General and Ms. Angana Guha Roy Chowdhury, Assistant Director visited along with Mr. Simarpreet Singh, Managing Committee Member, The Bengal Chamber and Director, JIS Group- the Chief Patron of the Chamber along with his colleague, Ms. Sila Singh Ghosh, Vice President-Corporate Relations.

Day 1: 8th November 2016

The Chamber representatives attended The International Export Forum – “Made in Russia”, organized by the Russian Export Center at World Trade Center, Moscow.

The Plenary Session “Russia on the map of world trade – a new paradigm for development” included the following discussion topics:

• The effectiveness of the Russian system for supporting exports

• Russia’s current place in global trade

• Barriers for Russian exports

• Russia’s prospects for integration into global trade chains, international cooperation and integration

• New format of exports: exporting services

The discussion’s participants included: First Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Igor Shuvalov; Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Denis Manturov; CEO of the Russian Export Center, Mr. Petr Fradkov; Member of the Board and Minister for Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Ms. Veronika Nikishina; and, CEO of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, Mr. Andrey Nikitin. Mr. Valery Fadeyev, Editor-in-Chief, Expert Magazine moderated the Session.

The other Sessions of the Forum included :

• Master Class by the Education Project of Russian Export Center

• Presentation of the new project “Online database of export statistics on Russian regions”

• Panel Session “Seeking new points of growth- exporting services”

• Panel Session “Exporting Non-Commodity Goods as part of shaping Russia’s image in the world”

• Practical seminar on certification of Russian goods

• Panel Session “Foreign trade education – a tool to kickstart exporting”

• Panel Session “E-commerce – high priority for exports”

On the sidelines of the Forum, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce had a meeting with Mr. Konshin Mikhail, International Sales Department Head, Sady Pridonia Group of Companies, Russian producer of natural juices and natural baby food (puree) made of natural fruits and vegetables. The Chamber assured assistance to him in connecting with potential distributors/retailers in India.

Day 2 : 9th November 2016

The following meetings were held on the Day 2: 9th November 2016 : • Moscow State University Science Park • Russian Franchise Association (RFA) • Indian Embassy in Moscow

• Moscow State University Science Park

Mr. Vasily Petrechenko, Deputy CEO, Moscow State University Science Park met the Chamber representatives. The meeting commenced with an introduction of the Science Park.

MSU Science Park is the oldest of the operating technoparks in Russia. MSU Science Park provides office and laboratory premises in the centre of Moscow in the close vicinity to the best University in Russia, the Moscow State University. One hundred twenty technological (IT, industrial engineering, medical devices and oil & gas services) companies are the residents of the Science Park.

Residents of the Science Park undertake joint studies with MSU laboratories with the involvement of the University graduates. A number of centres for collective use equipped with the State-of-the-Art equipment are operating at MSU including centres for preclinical trials, nano-materials, materials testing and others.

A Letter of Intent was requested from the Science Park expressing interest of working together following which the two organizations may share details about their projects to identify the suitable one(s).

The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry separately proposed an institutional partnership with the Science Park. The Chamber requested the Science Park to share their updates on various innovations taking place in their ecosystem which the Chamber will circulate among their members and stakeholders for match making.

Two of the residents made presentations on their innovations.

LighTiO: It produces coatings for the greenhouses. The same may be used for cars - side mirrors, side windows, head lights and others. The solution may be used for buildings in India with glass walls. This will save resources involved for cleaning the walls. The Chamber mentioned that the proposal may be circulated to its members and stakeholders in the domain of construction.

Naftobioclean: They provide solutions for water treatment for industrial and storm drains. Their usage is in :

• Airfields and airports • Thermal Power Stations • Car Parking Areas • Others

The solution does not work for arsenic treatment. It may be used for treating water borne effluents from chemical plants and the above mentioned work spaces. The Chamber enquired whether the same may be used for treating water flowing from leather parks. The concerned person indicated that the same was possible but water sample test would provide a better feedback.

The Chamber made an introduction of West Bengal and the activities of the Bengal Chamber. Some other projects were briefly discussed in the IT domain like online portal for private tutors.

• Russian Franchise Association (RFA)

The Meeting was held in the office of Baskin Robbins Russia. Dr. Agnessa Osipova, President, Baskin Robbins (Russia) received the Chamber representatives. She is also the President of RFA. She mentioned that the markets of both the countries are developing. There lies significant scope for businesses in both the countries to explore contacts for business enhancement.

The Chamber briefed about the historical linkage shared by West Bengal with Russia and the State’s strategic location. The Chamber also mentioned about its stakeholders who are in the business domain of hyper markets with whom discussions may be initiated to import consumable goods from Russia.

The Chamber proposed to form an institutional partnership with RFA to share updates from stakeholders/members of both organizations for mutual benefits. This may be an online platform. Nodal persons from both organizations would be nominated.

RFA mentioned that a catalogue would be published by them with the details of various franchises. A sample of an existing catalogue was shared. They offered that the publication may also include Indian organizations interested to work in Russian market as franchise holders.

The Chamber representatives were also escorted to a tour in the production centre of Baskin Robbins.

• Indian Embassy in Moscow

The Chamber representatives visited the Indian Embassy in Moscow and met Shri Pankaj Saran, Ambassador, Embassy of India in Moscow and Shri K D Dewal, First Secretary (HOC and Commercial), Indian Embassy in Moscow.

The Ambassador received the Chamber representatives very warmly and expressed his great appreciation to the Chamber for visiting Russia. The Chamber briefed the Ambassador about its activities especially about its outreach activities. The Director General mentioned that there had been a steady increase of interest, among the members, to explore the overseas markets.

The Ambassador mentioned that the Economic and Commercial Sections of the Embassy had been strengthened. The Ambassador advised that participating in mega programmes in Russia is a way of exploring participation in the Russian market. The Chamber may explore bringing delegations to participate in such programmes in St. Petersburg and Vladivostok. Some of the focus areas are:

• Pharmaceuticals • Agro • Minerals • Chemicals • Others

The Embassy offered to provide guidance on sectors of exports from India to Russia. The Ambassador also mentioned that both the countries have to be made aware about business potentiality of each other. The Chamber may play a role to address this gap.

The Ambassador advised that collaborations with some Regions (apart from Moscow) may be explored. Showcasing West Bengal to the Regions of Russia was also recommended. He assured all support from the Embassy for Chamber’s initiatives in Russia. Some of the sectors which have significant potentiality are:

• Restaurants • Yoga • Ayurvdea • Textiles • Tea

He also mentioned about :

• Cyber Security • Defence – manufacturing of components

Day 3: 10th November 2016

Meetings on Day 3 included :

• Meeting with Ministry of Economic Development

• Meeting with Ulyanovsk Region

• Meeting with Ministry of Economic Development

The Meeting was chaired by Ms. Natalia N. Strigunova, Deputy Director, Asia, Africa and Latin America Department, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. Representatives from OPORA Russia; Moscow State University and other stakeholders including a senior functionary from the Region of Tatarstan also participated in the Meeting.

The Deputy Director provided an overview of the business landscape in Russia and possible areas of collaborations between businesses of Russia and West Bengal. The Director General made a presentation on West Bengal and the possible areas of collaboration. Tea, engineering and logistics were discussed in particular.

• Meeting with Ulyanovsk Region

The Chamber representatives met the representatives from the Government and business fraternity of Ulyanovsk Region. The delegation from Ulyanovsk Region was headed by Her Excellency Ms. Tatyana Murdasova, Deputy Governor to Ulyanovsk Region. Mr. Igor Rybikov, Deputy Director, Ulyanovsk Region Development Corporation was also present. Mr. Rybikov made a presentation on “Doing Business in Ulyanovsk Region”.

The Meeting continued with presentations from some innovative enterprises:

• ZAO PromServis- Energy saving, diagnostics, expertise

• Industrial Group: MICROELECTRONIC SENSORS

• G C Tools, Ltd.

• Development of Federal Multifunctional Roadside Service Complex (MFC) «Travel Park

• Tourism and Recreation Area: Handicrafts Centre

• Treatment and Diagnostic Centre for Rehabilitation and Restorative Medicine in Dimitrovgrad, Ulyanovsk Region

Day 4: 11th November 2016

On Day 4, the Chamber representatives had the following agenda :

• Workshop on “Recommendations for the Foreign Investors in Russia”

• Meeting with Institute for Emerging Market Studies (IEMS), Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO

• Meeting with Education Sector

The Team split in two groups - Mr. Subhodip Ghosh, Mr. Simarpreet Singh and Ms. Angana Guha Roy Chowdhury attended the above mentioned Workshop and the Meeting with Institute for Emerging Market Studies (IEMS), Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO. Ms. Sila Singh Ghosh met the representatives of Education sector separately.

• Workshop on “Recommendations for the Foreign Investors in Russia”

The Workshop was conducted by Mr. Pavel Gagarin, Chairman of the Board, Gradient Alpha Investments Group. He is an expert in investments, taxation, banking and strategic risk-management. Gradient Alpha Investments Group has 22 years of work experience, being the 13th largest audit company in Russia. They have 2137 successfully implemented projects and among which 97% is drafted according to the need of the clients.

• Meeting with Institute for Emerging Market Studies (IEMS), Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO

The Chamber representatives met the Institute for Emerging Market Studies (IEMS), Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO.

Mr. Alexey Kalinin, Director and Ms. Ekaterina Molchanova, Project Leader, Institute for Emerging Market Studies (IEMS), Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO received the Chamber representatives along with their other colleagues.

The Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO is one of the leading private business schools in Russia and the CIS. It was founded in 2006 by members of the business community. The school’s founding partners are 8 Russian and multinational firms and 11 individuals, each a leader of Russian business. The International Advisory Board of the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO provides strategic advice and participates in shaping the school’s development. The Board includes Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

The Institute provides Business Education and undertakes Research. Business Education includes MBA, Executive MBA and Start Up Programmes and Leadership Programmers for SMEs. The theme is how Russia may contribute to the world. The Global IEMS Network is supported by Ernst and Young. MSU has collaboration with ISB Hyderabad in India. The Partners are China Europe International Business School in Shanghai, Hong Kong University of Technology and others. MSU provides advice, education and information to policy makers, industry and society. The focus areas are:

• Rise of Asia and China • Digital Transformation and Innovation • Sustainable Business • Globalization • Urbanization

The Bengal Chamber also made a presentation on Bengal – its locational advantage and resources and the Chamber’s role in setting up social and educational institutions in West Bengal. The Chamber proposed to work together with SKOLKOVO in areas of mutual interest citing its deep connect with higher education and policy advocacy.

Presentations of some innovative products/services by the residents were made at the Forum as under:

• Cardberry • Motorica • Group IB

The Chamber representatives were also invited to the Speaker’s Night organized by SKOLKOVO – a Talk by Dr. Sergei Guriev, Chief Economist of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Ms. Sila Singh Ghosh had meetings with the Education Sector organized by the Indian Embassy. Dr Abhishek Vaish, (Counsellor – Science and Technology) was present in the Meeting.