PARIS: Russia-France trade grew by almost a fifth last year despite the economic restrictions from both sides, according to Russian Ambassador to France Aleksey Meshkov.
Meshkov added that direct French investment in the Russian economy is also growing and reached almost $14 billion, while Russia’s direct investment in France is $3.2 billion.
“More than 500 companies with the participation of French capital, as well as about 40 Russian companies in France, contribute to this in various sectors of the economy. None of them have quit during the crisis, although they have been forced to freeze promising projects,” said the ambassador.
France has a 2.83-percent share in Russian foreign trade. Minerals comprise around 80 percent of Russia’s exports to France, while its imports include chemicals, machinery and food.