Baltic States – CIS, Estonia, Forum, Port, Railways, Transport

The 20th transit fair TransRussia, lasting till Friday in Moscow, is smaller than in previous years. The reason is Russia's economic problems, as well as the complex geopolitical situation.

Estonian companies are present though and emphasize that despite the current recession, the Russian market is and will remain important for the Estonian transit business.

Despite difficult times and the considerable fall of Russian transit through Estonia, Estonians transit entrepreneurs say that it is also possible to talk about positive things at the transit fair. Relations between people are the same and big politics does not play such a big role.

EVR Cargo Commercial Director Janek Ojamäe points out the importance of container cargo transport, which has increased strongly in recent years. Also the container cargo agreement with the Mitsubishi car factory in Russia works nicely.

Transiidikeskuse AS Board Chairman Erik Laidvee says that even though on the background of the economic downturn, cargo volumes have decreased, in this business, the long-term plan is looked at, and within a few years the situation will return to normal.

Representatives of Estonian ports and logistics companies, who introduce Estonia at the Moscow transit fair, say though that Estonian government representatives should also be present, as the Russian market is extremely important for the Estonian transit.

Sillamäe Port Marketing Director Andrei Birov points out that the last time a representative of the government was present at TransRussia, it was Edgar Savisaar who visited the fair in 2006, when he was Minister of Economic Affairs.

"After that, no minister or anyone at such a high level has been here. But they should come since the trade flows between East and West, transit, logistics, transport is what the success of our economy depends on," stressed Birov.

One of Estonia's competitors in this business, Latvia, sent this year to Moscow Chancellor of the Ministry of Transport and their pavilion hence got considerably more attention.

More than 15 Estonian companies participated in the Russian transit fair.