St. Petersburg offers business opportunities to Azerbaijani producers

By Azernews

By Sara Israfilbayova

Khasan market, one of the largest markets of Saint Petersburg, is ready to provide places to Azerbaijani producers desiring to do business in Russia.

St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko held a meeting with Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Sahib Mammadov this week to discuss the opportunities to increase imports of Azerbaijani agriculture products.   

He noted that imports from Azerbaijan increased by 14 percent to $8.1 million in 2016. Petersburg imports from Azerbaijan mainly vegetables, root crops, fruits, nuts and ferrous metals.

At the same time, Poltavchenko marked with regret that the trade turnover between the Northern capital and Azerbaijan has recently fallen. Last year, trade turnover decreased by 24 percent compared to 2015 and amounted to $69.5 million.

In turn, Mammadov stressed the necessary for strengthening and expanding cooperation in the pharmaceuticals given the fact that Petersburg is picking up steam in field.

Poltavchenko assured that specialists from St. Petersburg can visit Azerbaijan to exchange experience with local doctors and carry out consultations for the population.

Azerbaijan began deliveries of tinned goods to St. Petersburg, Russia, in mid-March 2016.

Some of the goods from Azerbaijan have become a popular brand in Russia. For example, in Russia they say the most delicious tomatoes are coming from Azerbaijan.

The real delivery of goods between Azerbaijan and Russia rose by more than 50 percent in the first half of 2015, despite a slight drop in turnover, reaching a historical height of $4 billion in late 2014.