Russia – Venezuela
Venezuela is one of Russia’ strategic partners in Latin America. While trade turnover between the two countries is significantly lower than it could be, it is trending upwards, especially in terms of Russian exports. Representatives of the business and political circles of both countries consistently express the desire to develop closer ties and provide mutual support in almost all areas – from energy and oil production, pharmaceuticals, and information communication projects to cooperation in space, the agro-industrial complex and the development of educational ties. In the difficult political and economic climate, there is also a solid base for Russia and Venezuela to develop cooperation in the tourism sector. In November 2023, the Russia–Venezuela Council of Entrepreneurs resumed its activities. On the Russian side, the Council was headed by the President of the Russian-Venezuelan Bank, which is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its establishment this year. What is the role of the Russia–Venezuela Council of Entrepreneurs in the expansion and diversification of thermal power plants? What are prospects for the development of investment cooperation between Russia and Venezuela? Can we expect an increase in Russian tourists travelling to Venezuela?
Moderator
Tatiana Mashkova,
Director General, National Committee for the Promotion of Economic Cooperation with the Countries of Latin America (NC CEPLA); Director, Business Council "Russia-Chile"
Panellists
Wilmar Alfredo Castro Soteldo,
Minister of People's Power for Agriculture and Lands of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Georgy Muradov,
Deputy Chairman, Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea; Permanent Representative of the Republic of Crimea to the President of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Padalko,
Vice President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
Ali Padron,
Minister of People's Power for Tourism of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Indhriana Parada,
General Director of the Office, International Centre for Productive Investment (online)
Jose Felix Rivas Alvarado,
Sectoral Vice President of Economy, Minister of the People's Power for Industries and National Production of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Jesús Rafael Salazar Velascas,
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Alexander Shchetinin,
Director of the Latin American Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Yarosh Sergey,
President, Chairman of the Executive Board, Evrofinance Mosnarbank; Chairman, Russia-Venezuela Entrepreneurs Council
Front row participants
Jorge Arreaza,
Executive Secretary, Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America - Peoples Trade Treaty
Guy Vernaez,
Minister of People's Power for Communes and Social Movements of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Denis Vinokurov,
Director for International Business Development and Communications, HIMRAR
Pavel Kalmychek,
Director for Bilateral Cooperation Development Department, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Egor Kvyatkovskiy,
Vice-President for Marketing and Development, Rusatom - International Network (Rosatom State Corporation)
Maria Litovko,
Vice Governor of Sevastopol City
Calixto Jose Ortega Sanchez,
President, Central Bank of Venezuela
Indhriana Parada,
General Director of the Office, International Centre for Productive Investment (online)
Petr Rodionov,
General Director, Geropharm
Tarek William Saab,
Attorney General, Public Prosecutor's Office of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela