ST. PETERSBURG, June 18. /TASS/. Latin American countries are willing and ready to do business with Russia despite the challenging international environment and the West’s pressure, President and founder of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Russia Domingo Garcia told TASS.
"Latin America is willing and ready to do business with Russia. We are friendly countries, we are those countries that imposed no sanctions against Russia, [we] want to do business with it," he said on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
The most promising trade sectors are "very clearly defined," Garcia added. "From Russia to Latin America those are fertilizers and concrete, this is very important, as well as diesel fuel. From Latin America [those are] the so-called soft goods, such as coffee beans, cocoa beans, vanilla, coconuts, soybeans. This creates huge possibilities, as well as prospects for joint innovation work between Russia and Latin America," he noted.
The Latin American business is really interested in entering the Russian market, the official said. "Indeed, there is huge interest. We have received many requests. Russia is the largest country, which is home to 140 mln people, having a significant GDP per capita. We want to enter this market," he stressed.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is taking place on June 18-21. This year, the event is held under the theme "Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World." The program includes the SME Forum, the Creative Industries Forum, the Day of the Future International Youth Economic Forum, the Drug Security Forum, and the Roscongress Urban Hub discussion platform. As part of the cultural program, the Petersburg Seasons festival will be held, and the SPIEF Sports Games will take place. The Roscongress Foundation is the organizer of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. TASS is its information partner.