Russia eager to extend help in Bengal coal mining

Russia is keen on lending its technical expertise in coal mining equipment to West Bengal, which has huge reserves of coal, but not appropriate machinery.

Speaking on the sidelines of an interactive session organised by Calcutta Chamber of Commerce(CCC), Vladimir V Lazarev, Consul General of Russia in Kolkata said, "West Bengal could possibly use Russian equipment for coal mining since the region has huge potential and could benefit from the use of such technology."

This apart, Russia and India are looking at achieving bilateral trade of $10 billion by 2010. "We are aiming to achieve a bilateral trade of $10 billion within the next one year.There is a wide range of oppurtunity between both the countries and I am sure that by further concentrating our efforts we can achieve the target set by our leaders." However, there has been lack of awareness amongst business communities between both the nations and the private sector in both the countries has been slow to take advantage of the huge expansion which is taking place in both the economies.

"Therefore more focus should be given on improving visa regimes, removing cargo problems and strenthening market information networks", he further added. In 2007, bilateral trade stood at $5 billion while last year bilateral trade was at $7 billion.

Economies of both the countries could possibly cooperate in areas of information technology, hydrocarbon, natural gas and coking coal, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

West Bengal and the eastern region also had an enormous potential and the state government has initiated several reforms aimed at the socio economic progress, which had created a favourable environment for favourable business climate, offering new oppurtunity and vistas of cooperation, claimed Lazarev.

"As it is well known, the Russian experts are offering their expertise at Durgapur, Rourkela and Bokaro steel plants which are undergoing modernisation along with the power station at Orissa.The Russian company Technopromexport has commenced construction of the Barh thermo power station in Bihar and has opened its office in Kolkata," he said.

Russia's export to India are raw materials, ferrous and non ferrous metals, fertilizers and newsprint, while tea, coffee, tobacco, soya meal, spices, medicines, perfume, leather form bulf of its import.

Both countries can also collaborate in the area of tourism for which a 'joint work programme' for 2009-10 has been signed. On an average around 700 visas are issued by the cosulate office in Kolkata per month.