Russia seeks Special Industrial Zone for Russian companies in Maharashtra, Says Mr. Kudashev

Russian Federation is keen to establish special Industrial Park/Earmarked Industrial Zone for Russian companies in Maharashtra to take advantage of the “Make in India” and “Ease of Doing Business“ programmes in India. H. E. Mr. Nikolay R. Kudashev had discussions with Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra seeking his government’s support to work out special facility for Russian companies to set up industries in earmarked zones. This was revealed by H.E. Mr. Nikolay R. Kudashev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation in India at an interactive meeting organized by the All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and the World Trade Centre Mumbai during his first official visit to Mumbai.

H.E. Mr. Kudashev also suggested that a Data Bank of Russian companies and Indian companies  may be created with the assistance of the Government of Maharashtra to facilitate exchange of shared complementarities in  the sectors of science and technology, manufacturing, agro among other sectors.

H.E. Mr. Kudashev informed about the recent 12.9 bn. investment by ROSNEFT in ESSAR Refinery and he hoped there would be more investment flow  into  India.

H.E. Mr. Kudashev further stressed that the economic relations between Russia and India have a very long history and that technologies transferred so far from the USSR or Russia to India is a basis for our cooperation. Even now, one can see successful operation of industrial plants, agricultural farms, and infrastructure projects implemented in India with the assistance of the USSR. Bokaro, Bhilai and Visakhapatnam Steel Plants, Aluminium Plant at Korba, heavy machine tools factory in Ranchi, Calcutta Metro, Suratgarh Central State Farm and overall more than 70 other projects were constructed in India with modern technologies of those times.

Nowadays Russia-India projects in the spheres of nuclear power, civil aviation, defense etc. are based on the state-of-the-art technologies. We do believe our economic partnership is a provider for innovations from research and development to implementation, he said.

According to H.E. Mr. Kudashev the construction of nuclear power plants is an established area of cooperation where the Russian company Rosatom shares its razor-edge technologies and expertise with Indian partners. With announcement of the second site in India for construction of Russia-designed NPPs, which is expected to come around in the near future, our cooperation in peaceful atomic energy will become even more solid. However, both Russia and India are eager to move even further by jointly entering NPP projects in third countries. The first such project is on the anvil with NPP Ruppur in Bangladesh where Russia is contributing in terms of equipment supply while India may provide technical assistance and training. A respective agreement is in the pipeline. Be such cooperation successful, we will be able to offer our joint services to other countries as well.

In conclusion , H.E. Mr. Kudashev  said looking ahead, Russia and India have a very solid historical and institutional ground as well as traditionally enjoy mutual affinity, which gives us every opportunity to continue strengthening our cooperation bilaterally and multilaterally in the near future and beyond.

H.E. Mr. Kudashev further added that Russia is soon going to have flights from Mumbai to Moscow and shall also relax visa for business community and organize Bollywood week in Russia for Indian Film Industry.

H.E. Mr. Kudashev further added that Russia is soon going to have flights from Mumbai to Moscow and shall also relax visa for business community and organize Bollywood week in Russia for Indian Film Industry.

Mr. Vijay Kalantri, President, All India Association of Industries (AIAI) and Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai said, India and Russia have long standing relation. Russia is full of natural resources such as oil, gas, fertilizers and Indian companies could collaborate in this field with Russian companies. Trade between India and Russian which is US$ 6 bn. needs to be doubled in next three years.

Mr. Kalantri added that Russian companies are interested to invest in India and Russia should plan much more investment in India in the areas of science and technology, oil, gas and other fields. There is a need to work together and get more investments on focused sectors.

Cat. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai proposed the vote of thanks.