Azerbaijan, Baku, May 16 / Trend N. Ismayilova /
As a result of the first quarter, turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia reduced 3.4 percent compared to the same period of 2008, trade representative of Russia in Azerbaijan Yuri Shedrin said on May 16 at extended meeting of Azerbaijani-Russian chamber of business cooperation.
"Russian market is major one for Azerbaijan in export of foods. But there is slump of export for Azerbaijani goods to Russia because purchase capacity of the population reduced due to impact of the world crisis," Shedrin said.
Russian export increased 2.5 percent but Azerbaijani export reduced 65.5 percent, he said.
Slump of Russia's turnover with other CIS countries hits 50 percent, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Russia to Azerbaijan Vladimir Dorohin said. Slump in turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia hit 15 percent in January, 10 percent in February, 5 percent in March.
"Now we fill this gap. Specialists studying season factors impacting turnover consider that it is possible to depend on lack of big losses in 2009," Dorohin said.
Ambassador said that trade is basis of economic relations. Azerbaijan and Russia continue to support stabile trade relations despite the global economic crisis. But is does not mean that there are no new tasks for countries.
Several schemes and projects have been designed allowing increasing Azerbaijani export to Russia.
"Presently, some changes in Azerbaijan promote growth of import in our country. These changes include abolition of VAT on import of goods used in defence industry and power engineering, introduction of "single window" system at customs check-points," Shedrin said.
As a result of 2008 turnover between Russia and Azerbaijan hit $2.4 billion.
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