Moscow, Russia, 15 September. The Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev visited Media Forum “Regions of Russia” held in the World Trade Center Moscow. After his speech at the forum, the Prime Minister held a meeting with the CEO of the WTC Vladimir Salamatov to discuss, inter alia, educational programmes and examination activities of the WTC Moscow.

Vladimir Salamatov told Dmitry Medvedev about the analytical work in the field of foreign trade, the preparation of expert studies on the problems of foreign trade with other countries, including the ones within the WTC special project “Russia in the WTO” conducted by the WTC.

In addition, the WTC CEO provided information on training programmes for top managers, representatives of various ministries and departments on the norms, principles and rules of the WTO.

Dmitry Medvedev approved of the WTC work in these areas and gave his recommendations. The Prime Minister and the WTC CEO agreed that legal experience in the resolution of trade disputes is essential for market participants.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of competence development in using the WTO tools, including instruments for disputes resolution, in order to maximize the benefit to the Russian business.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The WTC Moscow is fully engaged in various educational programmes in the field of foreign trade, including the ones within the WTC special project “Russia in the WTO”. For the last two years 25 specialized seminars and trainings were conducted as part of this special project in 20 regions of Russia and 7 foreign countries. Two special courses were launched: one in MGIMO and the other – course for further vocational training for state officials – in the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Two workshops on the WTO are set to be held in Voronezh and Lipetsk in the nearest future.

As part of examination activities the WTC posts on its web-site and special project “Russia in the WTO” site weekly reviews “World Trade’s Key Issues today”, these reviews contain infographics and analytical materials. Operational files on Russian trade relations with other countries (including the materials on conferences and forums conducted by the WTC) are also regularly published.

Several analytical reviews have been prepared. For example much-publicized review on “The impact of Russian food ban (counter measures) on the EU countries, the USA, Australia and Norway”.

Among the WTC current educational projects are: preparation of teaching materials for MGIMOs “Trading business and trade regulation” Department; working out teaching aids on “Business Economics”; developing an MBA programme “Strategic management and business policy of the State”. The WTC Moscow is also engaged in the preparation of R&D on “Analysis of the impact of Russia's WTO membership on the development of the real sector of the economy and the development of measures aimed at improving the sustainability of its separate branches”, joint project of the Ministry for Economic Development and the Russian Foreign Trade Academy.

The WTC under the supervision of PhD, Professor Vladimir Salamatov prepared the following research papers:
• Government assignment 2013 “System algorithms for economies adaptation to the WTO criteria”
• Government assignment 2014 “Sectoral analysis of the Customs Union industry for the identification of the most vulnerable products to apply trade defensive measures in accordance with the WTO regulations”