As a result of negotiations at the strategic business mission of Russian regions in Egypt, agreements were reached on the conclusion of export contracts worth more than $1 million.
On August 23 - 30, 2023, a strategic business mission of Russian regions to Egypt took place in the cities of Cairo and Alexandria. The event was attended by representatives of the federal and regional export-import business, the scientific and educational sphere, the deputy corps, development institutions, public organizations and cultural institutions, in total more than 50 people from 7 regions of Russia.
The organizer of the mission dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Egypt was the Development Fund of the Krasnodar Territory supported by the Embassy and Trade Mission of Russia in Egypt, the Consulate General of Russia in Alexandria, Rossotrudnichestvo in Egypt, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the International Union of Non-Governmental Organizations “Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly”, the Russkiy Mir Foundation, Kuban State University, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Alexandria and the Krasnodar Territory.
For the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, this business mission was a kind of logical continuation of the work that was done during the Days of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly held in the Arab Republic of Egypt from January 24 to February 6, 2023.
Ilya Shakalov, Head of the delegation, General Director of the Development Fund of the Krasnodar Territory, member of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly, People’s Diplomat, following the business mission, noted that the Development Fund of the Krasnodar Territory had concluded a number of memorandums and cooperation agreements: with “Expolink” the leading Association of Exporters of Egypt on trade and economic cooperation; with the SADAT Group of Companies - one of the largest holdings in Egypt; with the Russian House in Alexandria on the promotion of humanitarian projects and initiatives.
“The business program included a presentation of investment, trade-economic and scientific-educational potential, visits to iconic Egyptian enterprises and Associations, leading educational institutions of the country, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, working meetings with heads of government authorities of Russia and Egypt. There were also held an International educational forum “Russia and Egypt: a thousand-year dialogue of civilizations” at the Russian House in Alexandria and a Gala Concert of Russian classical music at the Alexandria Opera House. At a working meeting in the administration of the Alexandria region, Governor-General Mohamed Taher El-Sherif, in the presence of the Consul General of Russia in Alexandria, Karen Vasilyan, confirmed his readiness to sign twin-city relations with the administration of the city of Krasnodar and invited the Governor of the Krasnodar Territory, Veniamin Kondratyev, and the Mayor of Krasnodar, Evgeniy Naumov, to pay an official visit to Alexandria. in the near future, after the Russian diplomatic mission in Egypt receives official documents,” - the People’s Diplomat said.
Delegates of the business mission, heads of leading universities and research centers in Russia visited a number of Egyptian educational institutions of higher education, discussed issues of cooperation, exchange of students and teachers, and mutual recognition of diplomas from the two countries.
A presentation of business opportunities of Russian enterprises and organizations took place at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, and B2B negotiations were held with representatives of more than 50 Egyptian enterprises. The Egyptians are extremely interested in importing Russian agricultural products and biological resources, industrial and technological equipment, feed for animals and birds, innovations in waste processing and disposal, agricultural machinery, selection of new varieties and hybrids, especially in difficult climatic conditions. The possibility of concluding preliminary agreements of intent for Russian export supplies worth more than $1,000,000. Also, creating of joint Russian-Egyptian enterprises was discussed.
On August 28 - 29, 2023, Rossotrudnichestvo site in Egypt hosted an International Educational Forum organized by Kuban State University supported by the Russian World Foundation (founder of the Russian Foreign Ministry), where Russian universities presented their capabilities. There were held bilateral Russian-Egyptian meetings on the issues of scientific, educational, technological and innovative mutually beneficial cooperation, development of youth policy and public diplomacy. The mission delegates presented a project to build a safe and accessible system for promoting Russian education for Egyptian citizens in the best universities in Russia, along with multi-vector concierge support for applicants, students and their parents from the moment of making the decision to study in Russia until receiving a diploma with subsequent assistance in finding employment in Russia, Russian enterprises and joint Russian-Egyptian companies in Egypt. Representatives of Kuban State University held an exhibition of works of art by Russian artists and a master class “Traditional Russian souvenir”.
The Association of Russian Designers, within the educational forum “Russia-Egypt: a thousand-year dialogue of civilizations,” prepared a concert program with elements of fashion shows. Especially for the event in Egypt, the ZA. RF brand developed a folk-themed clothing capsule. The SOVANA brand showed stylized images with a reference to 1820, when ladies wore lace and hats. And the DI-NA-MI-KA brand prepared an online presentation of fashionable images in a modern interpretation of urban style.
The concert program supported by the Krasnodar regional public organization "Society of Russian Culture" involves famous Kuban residents: Tatyana Antun - Russian singer, Laureate of international competitions, poetess, general director of the international production center "Announcement-Premier", official performer of the anthem of FC Krasnodar. Tatyana touched the hearts of both Russian and Egyptian audiences with her songs. Tsiplugina Mirra, 9 years old, presented a unique contemporary performance on pointe with a story about Cinderella, during which the heroine’s modest outfit turns into a chic princess look. Alisiya, 10 years old, performed fiery children's compositions, which were appreciated by young spectators. After the performance the participants wanted to take pictures with our young singer and model. Vice-President of the Russian Tavrel Federation Vladimir Parfenov held a master class on playing Russian chess and donated game sets to the Russian House in Alexandria.
At the end of the business mission, a Gala Concert of Russian classical music “Russia and Egypt: Music of Great Cultures” took place at the Alexandria Opera House. The head of the Violin Art Workshop, professor of the Moscow State Conservatory, Fyodor Belugin, and his young students, together with soloists of the Sochi and Saratov State Philharmonic Societies, performed works by famous Russian composers. The solemn event was attended by Consuls General in Alexandria from Russia, China, Turkey, Italy and Saudi Arabia. The Egyptian public was delighted with the Russian pianists and violinists, especially with the young stars’ skills level.
We thank Ilya Shakalov for his active work aimed at developing business, public diplomacy and humanitarian projects on the international track.