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Russian grain hub in Syria reveal the economic potential of the Crimea

Russia seeks to strengthen its position in the agricultural market of the Middle East, turning Syria into a kind of grain hub, which will become our gateway for the grain trade in the region. According to the Crimean political scientist Vladislav Ganzhara, grain from Crimea is already being sold in Syria, but the railway part of the Crimean bridge will allow to increase volumes.

Russian grain hub in Syria reveal the economic potential of the Crimea

Grain Distribution Center

The Syrian province of Tartus intends to become the center for the distribution of grain from Russia to Syria and neighboring states. This was stated by the governor of the province of Safuan Abu Saad during the visit of the Syrian delegation to Sevastopol. To accelerate the development of freight traffic between Tartus and Russian ports, a special economic zone may be created in the near future.

According to the governor of the Syrian province, there are many types of products in Russia in general and Sevastopol in particular, which could be successfully exported to Syria, including in Tartus. From my side, the province is ready to start supplying olives, olive oil, citrus fruits and medicines. As pointed out by Safuan Abu Saad, Syrian products are now produced in large excess and meet international standards in terms of quality.

“At the moment, foreign economic relations of the Republic of Crimea as a subject of the Russian Federation are already connected with Syria. Crimean grain comes from local ports and is sold in Syria. Participation of representatives of this country in the Yalta International Economic Forum and working visits of politicians of the two countries made it possible to build close economic cooperation.

There are various sanctions and restrictive measures against Crimea and Syria, which brought them closer in matters of economic cooperation. In addition, the situation in Syria is improving now.. Victory over international terrorist groups, committed with the participation of our country, allows local provinces to move to peace mode through the restoration of the country and the establishment of economic ties.

Millions of refugees still remain in Syria and neighboring countries, Therefore, first of all, the country needs food products. Crimea can close this niche, using its geographical position and agricultural potential", – assumes the interlocutor ABF "Economics today».

Crimea is the closest Russian sea point to Syria, but ships already cruising between countries are clearly not enough to develop mutual trade. It is worth noting, that before the war, the Syrians received a crop of about 4 million tons of grain per year, while now this share has decreased by almost 3 fold.

Russian grain hub in Syria reveal the economic potential of the Crimea

Grain expansion of the Russian Federation in the Middle East

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), wheat production in Syria is at its lowest level in recent 29 years. AT 2018 year it was about 1,2 million tons, which is about two-thirds of the previous year's level, which reached 1,7 million tons. Russia in recent years, conversely, collects record harvests of cereals, exceeding 110 million tonnes in 2018 year or more 135 million tons a year earlier. Russian supplies can easily meet the needs of Syria.

In recent years, deliveries of Russian grain to Syria have been steadily growing, but the interests of domestic producers are not limited to this country. Russia seeks to strengthen its position in general in the agricultural market of the Middle East, turning Syria into a kind of grain hub, which will become our gateway for the grain trade in the region.

“The railway part of the bridge should play a key role here.. Crimea is now experiencing certain difficulties, related to logistics and increasing the volume of supplies. The launch of the railway connection with the Russian mainland creates additional opportunities for export. With its appearance, the logistical importance of Crimea will grow, it will allow not only to solve internal problems, but also to increase the volume of trade, filling the dialogue with Syria with trade and economic content.

Such cooperation has good prospects for both individual provinces of Syria, as well as for the peninsula, representing a clear precedent for economic cooperation in the face of sanctions pressure. Crimea finds "windows of opportunity" in matters of foreign economic cooperation not only with Syria, but also with the same Turkey and other regions, which, in the absence of any formal obligations, de facto recognize the Russian peninsula", – explains Vladislav Ganzhara.

The uniqueness of the cooperation between Tartus and Sevastopol lies in the fact, that both cities are bases of the Black Sea Fleet. If we are talking about economic cooperation, it is important to ensure the interaction of business and create special conditions in Sevastopol, and in Tartus, State Duma deputy told reporters, organizer of the visit of the delegation of the Syrian province in Sevastopol Dmitry Sablin. He emphasizes, that Tartus – it's not just Syria, it is a unique trading platform in the entire Middle East, decisive issue of trade with Iraq, and with Lebanon.

Andrey Petrov

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