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Russia—Latin America

Russia—Latin America

KEY CONCLUSIONS

Sputnik V vaccine supplies to Latin American countries confirm Russia’s status as a reliable partner

“The registration of Sputnik V showed that registrations are largely politicized, and besides, there are vested interests. <…> In Uruguay, the regulator says they do not register such medicines, that it would be great if they were first registered elsewhere, like in the European Union. But when things got bad and the vaccine was needed, everyone fast-tracked the registration,” Sergey Dankvert, Head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).

“Our agency, which regulates drug certification, works very carefully, looking around. It has established relations with the Gamaleya Institute, with the Russian Investment Fund in regard to vaccination and the Sputnik vaccine. <...> We are ready to launch the production of the vaccine itself... we are preparing to produce a rather large batch of this vaccine so that it can be used in our country and exported to other countries of Latin America as well. <...> Our group is now investing in the Sputnik V vaccine, and soon we will also launch the production of the Sputnik Light vaccine,” Fernando De Castro Marques, President, Uniao Quimica Farmaceutica Nacional SA.

 

PROBLEMS

Insufficient growth in trade relations between Russia and Latin America

“Trade with Latin and Central American countries has not made much progress. <...> After the sanctions and the Russian retaliatory measures over certain food products, it would seem that Latin American countries had the opportunity to take their rightful position in our markets. However, despite our expectations, that did not happen. <…> We expected more imports of fruits from Latin America, but those supplies also remained stagnant. I think a number of factors played a role here. Our purchasing power is not what it used to be in 2013 and 2014. At the same time, I think, the lack of initiative played a role, too... Latin American countries did not shift their focus to the fact that Russia would be developing in terms of agriculture. <…> This year, the volume of imported products is increasing,” Sergey Dankvert, Head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).

“The potential is huge. <...> But there are two barriers for businesses to overcome: ... geography ... lack of information. In Russia they know very little about Latin America, in Latin America, perhaps they know a little more about Russia, but they know very little about other countries of the Eurasian Economic Union,” Sergei Glazyev, Member of the Board, Minister in Charge of Integration and Macroeconomics, Eurasian Economic Commission.

 

SOLUTIONS

Flexibility would help to increase turnover

“As for the geography issue... one can work through intermediaries, or one can work directly. In the latter case, direct cooperation is built, which is more effective. We can compensate for the geographical problem by reducing transaction costs if direct ties are established between enterprises. <...> As for the lack of information... I think that our main task today is to provide more access to information about each other’s capabilities, competitive advantages, and prospects for cooperation,” Sergei Glazyev, Member of the Board, Minister in Charge of Integration and Macroeconomics, Eurasian Economic Commission.

“I believe this is the task for both sides. We need to be more active, we will talk, and we will understand that high-tech exports need to be developed. What was customary before is on its way out, and we need something new in its place, something that would be in demand. Otherwise, the trade will decline,” Sergey Dankvert, Head, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).

“We should be more flexible, more active in our search for solutions. <…> We see great opportunities that go beyond traditional cooperation in the form of investments. We can take advantage of this situation, so that our countries complement each other. We should aim for deeper cooperation in terms of technological development. We are certain that our countries can benefit from such cooperation. <...> There are great investment opportunities, for example, recently a group of Russian companies invested in our railways,” Martin Guzman, Minister of Economy of the Argentine Republic.

For more information, visit the ROSCONGRESS.ORG Information and Analytical System.

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