An Interview with Dmitry Golovanov
Russian financial institutions have shown high interest in helping to raise the economic and business profiles both ways, Russian business in Africa and African business in Russia. For example, Eximbank of Russia has expressed readiness to take advantage of huge opportunities and existing growth potential in both regions. Eximbank of Russia is always open for a dialogue and discussion of projects of various degree of complexity.
In this exclusive interview, Dmitry Golovanov, Chairman of the Management Board of Eximbank of Russia, believes “there is everything necessary for that – significant experience of implementation of complicated infrastructural projects accumulated from Soviet days.”
He further advocates for an increased economic partnership between Russia and African countries, reaffirms the desire to continue developing business dialogue with interested companies in efforts to pursue active involvement in international programmes and projects for Africa. In addition, he raises some specific proposals necessary for facilitating business between Russia and Africa.
How do you assess the level of activity of economic cooperation between Russia and Africa today?
Golovanov: For the purposes of visibility, I would like to proceed to figures right ahead. Goods turnover between Russia and countries of Africa to the south of Sahara is today only about US$1.5 bn. Export – less than US$1 bn., among almost 50 countries real counteragents in export operations are less than 10. We can see that the structure of Russian export has deformed significantly towards export of raw materials. One more impressive statistics is that about 80% of Russian investments into Africa relate to exploration and mining of natural resources.
Skeptics will probably call such situation as “pessimistic”. We, Eximbank of Russia, see in the current situation high opportunities – a growth potential, on account of development of export of products other than raw materials. There is everything necessary for that – significant experience of implementation of complicated infrastructural projects and development of the territories accumulated from the times of the USSR, experience of Eximbank of Russia (financing of the project for construction of the satellite communications system), comprehensive approach to achievement of the objective: a line of credit and insurance products developed together with the Export Insurance Agency of Russia (EXIAR) especially for exporters, efficiency of taking decisions on issue of loans, market expertise and individual approach to every client.
Do you think that Russian authorities should support the business in cooperation between Russia and Africa? Can such support become a driver of growth of business activity between Russia and Africa? What is the role of the banking sector in this process?
Golovanov: Russian authorities provide considerable support to the business – moreover, at present support of its export initiative is a priority for the Russian Government. We, as a state bank oriented towards support of exporters, provide one of the efficient instruments capable to give a new impulse to economic cooperation between Russia and Africa.
In addition to specific proposals from exporting companies, in aggregate with deep understanding of needs of the African market, our portfolio contains a line of various financial products – this may be loans to Russian exporters, loans to foreign purchasers, leasing offers, financing involving foreign banks, all this is supplemented with a line of insurance products of EXIAR – so, the state provides significant support to export.
As regards to the banking sector, today there is no designated product line for the Russian exporters. Banks experiencing a difficult economic situation prefer only short-term profits and cannot afford development of business models which will become efficient in the long term. The state oriented towards timely support of export understands that it is necessary to invest into and develop this direction which will further become a driver of economic growth.
It is very important that cooperation between Russia and Africa can and should be developed on account of expansion of the export potential of companies which are now operating in the domestic market only. Eximbank of Russia has taken negotiations with companies willing to expand their business on account of achievement of foreign markets which need our financial support for this purpose.
Now we are taking negotiations for implementation of projects in such directions as supplies of geological equipment, equipment for washing plants, metal structures for construction of mining modules at the carrier Katoka (the 4th diamond deposit in the world by size). There are some perspective projects for supply of mineral fertilizers to Senegal, Togo and Benin, supply of medical goods, we discuss the possibility of financing of construction of social residential facilities in the region etc.
Experts believe that the share of Russian export to African countries is very low, first of all, due to insufficiently developed infrastructure in the industrial sector and problems with the production base. Do you agree to such an opinion? How the situation may be improved in the long term?
Golovanov: Obviously, Russia has faced some problems associated with poor development of the industrial base, however such problems are much less critical compared to the situation in the beginning of the 2000’s. Tasks set to our country may be resolved by means of implementation of joint projects.
In addition to the standard set of instruments for support and stimulation of export being implemented by national development institutes, the experience of our cooperation also includes such a solution as cooperation of Russian and African companies aimed at implementation of projects for export to third countries.
Cooperation will provide additional opportunities for investments; ensure additional load of production capacities; improve competitiveness of products on account of cooperation with other companies; become a catalyzer of expansion of sales markets by means of implementation of the strategy of “joint reach” of new markets. Competitiveness of joint projects will be ensured by advantages of our economies and instruments for support of private initiative.
We should not forget about accessibility of financial instruments regardless the level of development of the industrial sector and perspectives of a company interested in international trade, if the instrument necessary for that, for example, a loan is accessible at the rate of 17-20%, implementation of business plans will be postponed till stabilization in economy. Although we speak about the reserve dynamics – first we should support export, and in the long term, this will facilitate stabilization of economy.
How do you assess the potential of African producers interested in the Russian market? What may attract them to Russia?
Golovanov: Russia is a large developing market with growing purchasing capacity, interested in development of competition and improvement of quality of products supplied from abroad. We can surely say that companies which are ready to try the Russian market have a chance to gain much profit. It is to be noted that the Russian market has its own peculiarity, so companies entering the market should clearly understand economy, political components and legal issues.
We often face a problem that companies willing to enter international markets cannot simply find foreign purchasers for their products. I suppose that the same problem is experienced by African businessmen. Provision of consulting services, thanks to development of special state institutions, – they would facilitate their activity in Russia. If such support would be useful on our part, we are willing to provide it to our African partners.
You pronounced at the annual meeting of the AfroCom at Vnesheconombank some of specific solutions and proposals to improve the business climate between Russia and Africa – what steps do you suggest?
Golovanov: It is necessary to arrange large-scale Russian-African forums/summits. This format proposed by partners from China, USA and European Union, has proved itself – personal communications and contacts at all levels favor dynamics of cooperation development. A significant effect can be caused by formation of general registers of businessmen interested in cooperation. This will allow to facilitate the task of importers/exporters search for counteragents for placement of orders or sale of products.
Besides, joint implementation of projects in the area of infrastructural development will positively influence development of contracts between Russian and African companies. However, transparency and possibilities for medium and small business to access contracts within the framework of implementation of major projects are required. Such projects generally have significant multiplicative effect in terms of comprehensive development of territories.
One more direction of stimulation of cooperation may be provision of Russian and African companies with assistance in creation of value added chains, including creation of joint ventures which base their competitive potential on the use of country advantages. Eximbank of Russia works in this direction to the extent of creation of financial infrastructure to procure such projects. The Bank plans to develop cooperation with institutions for development of countries of the region. We are always open for a dialogue and discussion of projects of various degree of complexity.
