OAO "Russian Railways" has obtained 51% of shares of the Black Sea Ferry Investment (BFI), the operator of a ferry from the port of Caucasus (Krasnodar Territory) - Poti (Georgia), Vice-President of RZD, Avtandil Gorgiladze, announced on Tuesday in Yerevan during his meeting with Armenian forwarding agents.
He said that, as a result of this transaction, BFI has received the status of a joint venture, where 49 % belongs to its former single owner, Khakim Matchyanov, the President and the owner of Reserve Capital Enterpising Corp. K.Matchyanov's enterprise has been carrying out ferry transportations from port Caucasus to Poti for 2 years, however RZD joining this project will raise reliability and efficiency of this direct ferry communication between Armenia and Russia, added A.Gorgiladze.
He mentioned that in 2008 more than 140,000 tons of railway cargoes were transported from Russia to Armenia - mainly mineral oil, ferrous metals and forest products. About 30,000 tons of cargoes were exported from Armenia to Russia, which included building materials, foodstuffs and chemicals.
The problem which prevents growth in commodity circulation between Armenia and Russia is currently banned imports of cargoes which are included in Russian list for indirect taxation - alcohol and tobacco. In order to solve this question, it is stipulated to develop and technically to re-equip the "Caucasus" station. RZD’s Investment Program stipulates creation of a temporary, about 1,000 sq.m open warehouse, said RZD’s Vice-President.
He noted that in 2008 rail transportations between Russia and Armenia were mostly (57 %) carried out by the ferry Poti-Ilichevsk (Ukraine). Total cargo transit between Russia and Armenia in 2008 was 3 million tons, against 1.5 million tons in 2007. Vice-President of RZD connects further growth in commodity circulation with participation of the Armenian companies in building of Olympic sites in Sochi and with growth in loading of the ferry between Port of Caucasus and Poti.
He said that, as a result of this transaction, BFI has received the status of a joint venture, where 49 % belongs to its former single owner, Khakim Matchyanov, the President and the owner of Reserve Capital Enterpising Corp. K.Matchyanov's enterprise has been carrying out ferry transportations from port Caucasus to Poti for 2 years, however RZD joining this project will raise reliability and efficiency of this direct ferry communication between Armenia and Russia, added A.Gorgiladze.
He mentioned that in 2008 more than 140,000 tons of railway cargoes were transported from Russia to Armenia - mainly mineral oil, ferrous metals and forest products. About 30,000 tons of cargoes were exported from Armenia to Russia, which included building materials, foodstuffs and chemicals.
The problem which prevents growth in commodity circulation between Armenia and Russia is currently banned imports of cargoes which are included in Russian list for indirect taxation - alcohol and tobacco. In order to solve this question, it is stipulated to develop and technically to re-equip the "Caucasus" station. RZD’s Investment Program stipulates creation of a temporary, about 1,000 sq.m open warehouse, said RZD’s Vice-President.
He noted that in 2008 rail transportations between Russia and Armenia were mostly (57 %) carried out by the ferry Poti-Ilichevsk (Ukraine). Total cargo transit between Russia and Armenia in 2008 was 3 million tons, against 1.5 million tons in 2007. Vice-President of RZD connects further growth in commodity circulation with participation of the Armenian companies in building of Olympic sites in Sochi and with growth in loading of the ferry between Port of Caucasus and Poti.