Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- In the context of the pandemic of coronavirus infection and the introduction of quarantine in this regard in many countries of the world, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Moscow and the Consulates General of the republic in Russian regions have stepped up their activities in the trade and economic sphere in order to facilitate domestic entrepreneurs in the export of their products to the Russian market, Dunyo reported.

So, given that during quarantine and self-isolation, trading networks and retailers continue to operate mainly, initiative measures are being taken to establish contacts with federal and regional retail chains in Russia.

At the federal level, X5 Retail (over 16 thousand stores, super- and hypermarkets), Magnit (over 20 thousand retail outlets), ABC of Taste (130 premium-class stores), Vkusvil (over 900 stores), Auchan (314 super and hypermarkets), Lenta (246 hypermarkets), Metro (94 shopping centers) and other retail outlets that cover almost the whole of Russia are considered potential partners.

On a regional scale, a series of negotiations with the trade holdings “Brighter!” (750 stores), Siberian Giant (33 stores), Titan (68 outlets), Maria RA (1,166 stores), Monetka (1,512 stores), Edelweiss (60 supermarkets) and Bahetle (14 stores) were held.

During the negotiations, the issue of increasing the export of Made in Uzbekistan products to Russia is discussed.

A mechanism has been established for direct communication with domestic entrepreneurs interested in promoting their products on the Russian market, dialogue is constantly maintained, negotiations and consultations are held in the form of video conferences.

At the same time, attention is paid not only to large exporters of Uzbekistan, already having experience working with Russian partners, but also to newly created farms, agricultural firms and other business entities with export opportunities. They can become the drivers of further development of trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and Russia.

Much attention is paid to informing representatives of domestic small business and private entrepreneurship about the features of doing business with Russian partners. They are informed about the specifics of the legislation and business practices of the Russian Federation regarding the import of goods and services from foreign countries, training seminars and presentations are organized.

In April alone, over 200 commercial offers were received from entrepreneurs of the republic. Thanks to the efforts of the diplomatic missions, 43 export contracts were concluded for a total of US$86 million, for which products worth US$3.1 million have already been shipped.

In order to systematize work with Russian importers, the embassy is considering the launch of the “Exporters of Uzbekistan” information portal. Here will be placed business proposals received in the diplomatic mission, announcements by exporters, analytics and infographics on foreign economic activity, which will allow developing relations in the B2B, B2C and B2G formats.

In an interview with Dunyo news agency, the commercial director of New Way Caravan Gardens and Zangiota Tomorqa Khizmati Export, Jamshid Abdullaev, noted that despite the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine measures introduced worldwide, the volume of fruits and vegetables exported from Uzbekistan to Russia was not only they are not decreasing, but, thanks to the active efforts of the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Moscow, they are beginning to increase gradually.

According to the businessman, in 2019 his company exported fruits and vegetables to Russia worth more than US$3.5 million, and this year, as a result of coordinated teamwork with the diplomatic mission of Uzbekistan in Russia, it will reach US$5 million. In particular, with the assistance of Uzbek diplomats, direct contacts were established with Russian retail chains - Spar, Maria RA, Brighter!, Vkusvil, Verny, which positively affects the shipping price of the goods.

In turn, the deputy director of the Russian company UzGardens (import of fruits and vegetables from Uzbekistan) Aleksey Dregval admits that not a single Uzbek exporting company could cope alone with the difficulties that arose in connection with the restrictive measures introduced in Russia.

“The assistance of the Embassy by the exporter of Uzbekistan and the importers of Russia is not formal, but real,” A. Dregwal says. “Diplomats also carry out a great coordination and analytical work, collecting and summarizing information on the needs of all regions of Russia and large retail chains in specific types of products, thereby helping us find suitable suppliers in Uzbekistan with the necessary production base and quality standards.

Thanks to the recommendations and consultations of the Embassy, we are adding to the list of our Uzbek partners. So, over the past month, with the assistance of the diplomatic mission, another 15 new Uzbek companies have begun cooperation with us. In April, more than 40 trucks delivered goods from Uzbekistan to Russia, which found their place on the shelves of large retailers.

By the end of the year, we expect to increase the import of Made in Uzbekistan goods several times. We are already drawing up a schedule of orders for the fall-winter 2020 period in order to orient our Uzbek partners in the production of products that are in demand in Russia in advance.

Flagman LLC (city of Yekaterinburg) has many years of experience in mutually beneficial cooperation with Uzbekistan. According to the director and co-founder of the company, Eugene Rosenblit, the difficult situation in the global economy and the current coronavirus pandemic actually create new opportunities for entrepreneurs in terms of exploring new markets. Uzbek businessmen have an opportunity to occupy free niches in the Russian market. To do this, the interlocutor is convinced, it is necessary to adequately assess its resources and ensure the export of quality goods.

According to the entrepreneur, in 2020 Flagman LLC expanded its interaction with Uzbekistan with the support and active participation of the Consulate General of the Republic in the city of Yekaterinburg.

“Uzbek diplomats are constantly in contact with us, taking measures to simplify the procedure for importing goods and services from Uzbekistan,” the entrepreneur said. - Only in the last two months, Flagman LLC has concluded contracts with Uzbek companies in the amount of 500 thousand dollars. Deliveries from the republic include cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Rosenblit said that recently with the participation of diplomats of Uzbekistan, agreements were signed with Bukhoro Buyuk Savdo LLC and BMB Trade Group for the supply of fruits and vegetables for a total amount of US$1 million. Sharing his plans for cooperation with Uzbekistan, the businessman focuses on the fact that the country has already begun the ripening period of fruits and vegetables, the taste of which can surprise any gourmet.

- Our plans include the supply of cherries, nectarines, peaches, watermelons and melons (early and late), and garlic. It is gratifying that our Uzbek partners offer us very reasonable prices and we intend to increase import volumes. The Uzbek company Gold Dried Fruits is discussing the possibility of creating in Yekaterinburg a regional warehouse for storing and freezing fruits and vegetables delivered from Uzbekistan. This will allow supplying Uzbek fruits and vegetables throughout the year to both retail chains and budget organizations. In addition, packaging equipment has already been purchased that will be used to pack dried fruits from your sunny country,” he said.

Vadim Utyashev, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Bashkortostan, considers Uzbekistan a reliable and promising business partner. In February of this year, a visit of the chamber’s delegation to our country was organized, during which agreements on cooperation with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Ferghana and Andijan regions were concluded.

- The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Kazan is in constant contact with us. Diplomats assist us in finding business partners, obtaining commercial offers from Uzbek exporters, and establishing direct contacts. As a result of their efforts, this week we purchased and received from the Republic of Uzbekistan the first test batch of medical gauze of 125 thousand linear meters worth over 38 thousand dollars. This is only the beginning of our cooperation, which will expand for the benefit of the interests of both parties. In particular, we intend to launch deliveries from the republic of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, which we will supply to retail chains and social institutions (hospitals, motels, schools, kindergartens and others), - Utyashev said.