Food exports to Russia: MEA asks firms to focus on quality

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has cautioned Indian exporters not to compromise on prescribed Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures to avoid rejections of their export consignments of food and health related products to Russia.

Speaking at a Conference on “India’s Trade Opportunities with Russia” on Wednesday, MEA’s Joint Secretary (ERS), Shambhu S Kumaran reminded the exporters that recently few of their export consignments away to Russia relating to food and health products were outright rejected by the authorities, noticing dilution of SPS standards.

“I may point out that SPS measures are not waived off even when sanctions are imposed on any of the economies of the world. Therefore, Indian exporters are well advised to focus on quality, quality, quality rather than looking for excuses to take advantages of sanctions against Russia in its exports so that they are not denied market access for their health and food products”, said Kumaran.

While highlighting that “Interaction, Information and Intermediation” are the three key areas to enhance bilateral economic relations between India and Russia, he said, “Pro active and positive interaction for long term ties between the two counties is required. Development of a good ecosystem to enhance intermediation between the two nations will also carry their existing bilateral relations to the next level.”

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Trade Representative Embassy of Russian Federation in India Evgeniy A Korshunov disclosed that Russian Fund was in offing to facilitate release of ceaseless Russian investments and its technologies into India in its core sector.