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Business Dialogue Russia–Japan

Business Dialogue Russia–Japan

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Relations with Japan should have global dimension 

“Japan is undoubtedly one of our priority partners when it comes to cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. And not just in Asia. We would like our relations with Japan to acquire global dimension,” Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.

“We already have about 130 projects within the framework of joint cooperation and half of them have already taken shape and are at the stage of implementation,” Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Japan. 

“We took a keen interest in Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s initiatives on developing Russian-Japanese relations in eight priority fields, and have already proposed an 80-project plan on its basis. Some of these projects have already kicked off,” Vladimir Putin.  

Trust between the countries allows for implementing the potential of economic cooperation 

“It is essential that the leaders of our countries emphasized the need in respectful attitude between the countries. Without trust, there is no result and we won’t be able to use the technology in full to improve the living standards of citizens. Only cooperation will help to reveal the potential of our possibilities,” Alexey Repik, President, Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia). 

The number of joint projects will increase

“We have been working for two years in the eight directions offered by Prime Minister Abe and President Vladimir Putin and they are being augmented with new dimensions. I’m talking about digital economy and labour productivity. They crosscut every sphere. It means that the number of projects will only be increasing,” Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.      

“Work outside Japan makes up 60% of our profit and Russia is one of the most important markets for us,” Masamichi Terabatake, President, CEO, Japan Tobacco Inc.

PROBLEMS

Insufficient amount of Japanese investments in Russian economy 

“The volume of Japan’s investments – it is currently fairly modest, let us say, around two billion dollars overall – in the Russian economy, as well as the volume of trade – which is also modest so far in view of our potential, something like 18 billion dollars as of last year – all that can be increased many times over,” Vladimir Putin.        

SOLUTIONS

Attracting investments for implementation of Russian-Japanese projects

“Russia-Japan Investment Fund can be extremely useful in funding joint projects. Since September the Fund has made a number of signature investments: in Transneft, one of the largest global infrastructure players, in Doctis that is building an online platform. Additionally,  today we’re announcing construction of a gas chemical facility in partnership with Marubeni company. Use the Fund as a tool. Its initial volume is USD 1 billion,” Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, Russian Direct Investment Fund.

“We have completed our investments in R-Pharm. We hope that we will provide all possible support to developing Russian medical industry. We foster the distribution of cutting-edge Japanese medications in Russia,” Tatsuo Yasunaga, President, Chief Executive Officer, Mitsui & Co. 

“Four years ago we signed an agreement with Mitsubishi on creating a new high-tech production of ammonia – 760 thousand tons. Capital investment into this project exceeded USD 1 billion,” Andrey Guryev, Chairman of the Board of Directors, PJSC PhosAgro.   

Developing joint transport infrastructure 

“About one third of shipments along Trans-Siberian Railway are cargoes to Japan. Last year the shipped volume reached the record of 44 million tons, which is almost 10% more than in 2016. And there is more to come. Vladimir Putin set the task of covering the distance between the western and eastern borders in 7 days. We are going to deliver in the near future,” Oleg Belozerov, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Executive Board, Russian Railways.

“Instead of sea transportation, we decided to ship Europe bound cargo from Japan with the help of railway mail cars of Pochta Rossii (Russian Post) along the Trans-Siberian Railway. It allowed for twofold reduction of transportation time,” Masatsugu Nagato, President, Japan Post Holdings Co Ltd.

“We have discovered possibilities in transferring Japanese technologies to the Russian territory to fulfil export potential of the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as in constructing transport related infrastructure,” Roman Trotsenko, Founder, AEON Corporation. 

Localization of Japanese production in Russia

“Over the last 10 years, Toyota production volume in Russia has grown from 6 thousand to over 10 thousand cars per year and the number of employees increased threefold reaching 2.4 thousand people. We plan that cumulative investment of our company in Russia will reach  USD 1 billion by 2020,” Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Toyota Motor Corporation.   

“In partnership with Mazda, Sollers is implementing a car building project in Vladivostok. This year we’ll complete the construction of an engine production plant. All 100% of engines should go to Japan, Hiroshima, to be further exported around the world,” Shvetsov Vadim, Director General, PJSC Sollers.

“In the industrial sector, Hitachi Ltd. and Transmashholding launch the production of traction inverters for passenger rail transport. Isuzu has decided to construct a truck production plant signing a special investment agreement with the Russian Federation. Japanese production technologies are spreading in Russia,” Hiroshige Seko, Minister for Economic Cooperation with Russia, Japan.

“We are working on a number of issues related to attracting Japanese companies to construction of Russian design power units abroad. Our cross border package includes 33 electric power plants only for the coming 10 years. We see a possibility of localizing Japanese companies in them,” Alexey Likhachev, Chief Executive Officer, Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation.  

“We have been cooperating with the Japanese party since 2000-s. The volume of cooperation is huge,” Dmitry Shukshin, CEO, ABBYY Russia.

More detailed information is available on the website of the Roscongress Foundation information and analytical system

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