08 June 2015, MOSCOW – Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation H.E. Carlos D. Sorreta called on Mr. Alexander Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE) at the latter’s office in Moscow to jumpstart the Embassy’s economic diplomacy efforts.

RUIE is Russia’s leading business organization and represents the interests of the biggest Russian companies. The group also represents Russia in the APEC Business Advisory Council. Mr. Shokhin’s previously held positions include Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economics, Minister of Labor as well as Russian Governor at the IMF and World Bank.

During the meeting Ambassador Sorreta expounded on the Philippines’ priorities for its hosting of APEC 2015 as well as areas of cooperation between the Philippines and Russia in the economic sphere. He also shared positive developments on the Philippine economy.

Mr. Shokhin discussed RUIE’s initiatives in line with President Vladimir Putin’s directive to expand cooperation with the economies of ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region. This includes the establishment of the National Coordinating Center for Enhancing Economic Relations with Countries in Asia-Pacific (APRCenter) under the RUIE.

The two exchanged views on the regional and global economic climate and agreed to pursue further cooperation with a view to expanding bidirectional trade and investment between the Philippines and Russia.  

Also present during the meeting were Dr. Marina Larionova, RUIE Managing Director for International Relations and Mr. Anatoly Drantusov, Director of RUIE Center for Bilateral Cooperation. Mr. Jeffrey Valdez, Economic Officer of the Embassy, accompanied Ambassador Sorreta.  END