New office in Samara
The seminar Russia-Cyprus business seminar that began on Tuesday continues today in Samara, 900 km south-east of Moscow, where a new Cypus economic office will be opened.
Around 30 business people are participating in the mission.
The seminar, entitled “Cyprus – International business centre and professional services”, is being organised by the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the support of the Cyprus Ministry of Commerce, as well as the trade department of the Cypriot Embassy in the Russian capital.
In his opening remarks on Tuesday, vice president of the Russian CCI, Sergei Petrov, described the Republic of Cyprus as one of the “substantial economic partners of the Russian Federation”, pointing out that even if the merchanise trade between the two countries was small (around EUR 66 mln in 2005), the picture is completely different in the field of investment, services and tourism.
“After Cyprus’ accession to the EU, Cyprus’ importance as a centre of services of various forms has significantly increased and is surpassing regional levels, while after the Russian business people adjusted with European legislation, conditions have not become worse, just different and in our view, especially attractive”, the Russian official added.
In his speech, Cypriot Ambassador Leonidas Pantelides referred to the “healthy and diverse, not only political but also economic cooperation between Russia and Cyprus”.
Pantelides said that during this period, around 1200-1500 visas are being issued on a daily basis and that the government decided not to charge the fee of 10 euro per visa during the tourist season. He also said that Russian business people who apply to the Embassy’s consulate through the Russian Chamber of Commerce will be able to receive multiple entry visas.
Head of Commerce at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Antis Nathanael, announced that the seminar will be repeated in Cyprus soon.
Speaking to CNA, the chairman of the Cyprus – Russian Business Association, Fidias Pilides, said that by organising similar seminars “in many western and eastern European countries, as well as in other developing markets such as China and India, we are strengthening Cyprus’ advantageous position”.
He also said that the prospects of the Russian-Cyprus economic relations are very good, and that “Cyprus continues to maintain this prime position as far as statistics in Russia on investment are concerned”.
He said the agreement of avoiding double taxation between the two countries is very good and helps investments from Cyprus to Russia.
