Kolkata - St. Petersburg: the First Online Interregional Economics Conference

On October 15, 2020 the first Kolkata – Saint Petersburg Interregional Economics Conference “Forging Partnerships in New World Order: Looking into the Future” was held online to elaborate on the development of economic ties between the Northwestern Federal District of Russia and eastern India during the pandemic. The event was organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) with the support of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata, the Centre of Education, Languages, Literature & Culture “RIFMA” (Rifma-CELLC) and the International Institute of Business Networking (IIBN).

The Russian side was represented by Mr. Alexey Idamkin, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata, Mr. Mikhail Petrov, Deputy CEO for Strategy, Head of Strategic Marketing, PJSC “Power Machines”, Ms. Ekaterina Lebedeva, Vice-President of Saint Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Vadim Kokotkov, Vice-President of “Bee Pitron” company and a representative of the“RUSSOFT”, the largest Russian non-profit association of software developers.

Mr. Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Hon’ble Minister of Power, Government of West Bengal, Mr. Deepak Miglani, Consul General of India in Saint Petersburg, Mr. Vinit Kumar, Chairman of Kolkata Port Trust, Mr. Mahendra Kumar Yadava, Managing Director of Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd., Ms. Perminder Jeet Kaur, Director for East and Northeast India, ASSOCHAM, took part in the event from the Indian side.

Mr. Alexey Idamkin stressed the importance of the traditionally strong friendly ties between Russia and India during his speech emphasizing this year’s celebration of the 20th anniversary of signing the Russia-India Declaration on Strategic Partnership. According to the Consul General, contacts and practical cooperation between both countries continue with the same intensity despite negative economic consequences of the pandemic. Among the most promising areas for strengthening interregional cooperation, he highlighted energy, mechanical engineering and heavy industry, pharmaceuticals, information and communications technologies, etc.

Mr. Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Hon’ble Minister of Power, Government of West Bengal, noted in his turn that relations with Russia had always been one of the top foreign policy priorities for India. Friendly ties between the two countries were filled with cordiality, mutual trust and openness, and have never been overshadowed by disagreements or conflict. The Minister said that it would be useful to hold additional meetings with Russian companies and chambers of commerce for a more detailed discussion of further cooperation in various areas.

During the conference, the participants discussed sharing national experience in building public-private partnerships, adapting the latest technologies, increasing the potential of digital solutions, as well as the challenges facing states and businesses in terms of economic recovery and strengthening the interregional component of Russian-Indian partnership under new circumstances.

The video recording of the conference can be viewed at the following link: https://youtu.be/7rid554op1g