Russia-Japan agriculture congress aims at boosting cooperation

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9/2 Tass 287

MOSCOW, February 9 (Itar-Tass) - Expansion of cooperation between
Russian and Japanese business quarters in the agro-industrial sphere is
the aim of the first Russian-Japanese congress on agriculture that opened
at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.
"A trend for boosting Russian-Japanese trade and economic relations
has emerged over the past few years," said minister of the Japanese
embassy in Moscow Manayabu Miyagawa. "The flow of Japanese investments
into the Russian economic is not flagging in the conditions of the world
financial crisis when volumes of mutual trade are shrinking everywhere."
According to the diplomat, apart from traditional cooperation in car
building and electronics, business quarters are interested in increasing
the range of cooperation in other spheres. In the minister's words, this
is evidenced by the development of restaurant business in Russia. "Moscow
alone now has over 300 Japanese restaurants, which is much more than in
capitals of other countries," he noted.
"We seek to boost cooperation in the fishing and meatpacking
industries," Miyagawa continued. "Moscow and Tokyo demand high standards
for goods in these spheres, which is corroborated by legislation and
consumer requirements."
In this connection, the representative of the Japanese embassy pointed
to "actuality and right time for calling this meeting to step up business
contacts in the sphere of agricultural business". He expressed hope that
"the congress will be given a boost and materialise in mutually
advantageous contracts, which will undoubtedly promote the development of
bilateral trade and economic relations".
Besides, the Japanese diplomat pointed to common opinions of Russia
and Tokyo on importance of food security. He also stated that "on the eve
of the APEC summit that will be held in Japan next November, plans provide
for a meeting of agriculture ministers of member countries of this
organisation. Special attention will be given to food security at this
meeting".
-0-bur/usn