Removal of barriers to trade and investment discussed with Chinese representatives

25.08.2021       

On Wednesday, August 25, the 5th round of Russian-Chinese consultations took place on the identification and removal of barriers and restrictions in the trade, economic and investment spheres. Director of the Department for Development of Bilateral Cooperation Alexander Dianov chaired the meeting and represented the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.

Representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture also took part in the event from the Russian side , Rosselkhoznadzor, Rosrybolovstvo, Rospatent, Rosstandart and Russian Railways.

The key topic of the meeting was the issue of eliminating trade restrictions that arose against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic. In particular, they discussed in detail the difficulties with exporting Russian products of the agro-industrial complex, water craft to China, ensuring uninterrupted supplies of goods through road and rail checkpoints, as well as issues of protecting the interests and rights of Russian companies operating in China.

With regard to the issue of levying a consumption tax on synthetic sapphires imported from Russia, which is sensitive for the Russian side, the Chinese side confirmed that the State Council of the People's Republic of China is preparing a legal act to resolve this problem.

« We agreed with our Chinese partners on concrete steps to resolve disputes in a number of areas, including in the areas of road transport, tax policy and standardization. Task – to ensure the most comfortable conditions for the operation of our business and enterprises, which will increase exports and create new jobs,” Alexander Dianov commented on the results of the consultations.

Representatives of Russia and China agreed to continue contacts to remove remaining barriers and restrictions in trade, economic and investment areas.