subscribe to news Alexey Vyalkin: support for Russian exhibitors is of particular importance

Today a Panel on Support Measures for Russian Enterprises for Participation in International Exhibitions in the Post-Pandemic Period and Implementation of the International Cooperation and Export National Project was held online. The event was organised by EXPOCENTRE AO, with the support of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Alexey Vyalkin, Director General of EXPOCENTRE AO, the panel moderator, stressed the importance of the topic and drew particular attention to the role of exhibitions in implementing the national project "International Cooperation and Export", according to which non-energy exports by 2024 are to reach 250 billion dollars. He also touched upon the indicators of Russia's foreign trade turnover at the present stage. 

The pandemic has shown the need for new approaches and principles for working with exporters. That is why it seems important to focus on the role of exhibitions in shaping the export potential of regions and supporting the promotion of export-oriented goods and services to foreign markets, through participation in international exhibitions, including those held in the Russian Federation, said Alexey Vyalkin. 

Speaking about the factors that currently hinder the promotion of Russian products and services for export, Alexey Vyalkin pointed to the lack of international harmonisation of travel regulations, which seriously impedes participation in foreign exhibitions and business events. Digital is actively being adopted, but it is not a long-term solution to replace offline communication. Virtual exhibitions reduce the opportunities for product promotion compared to face-to-face exhibitions. 

It is unlikely that full-scale participation in international trade shows abroad will be sustained any time soon. Therefore, supporting the participation of the Russian exporters in international exhibitions held in the Russian Federation expands their opportunities in terms of stimulating the growth of non-resource sectors of the national project "International Cooperation and Export". This enables them not only to regain markets and platforms for innovation, but also to promote their products for export. 

Participation in international exhibitions is also important for shaping the export potential of the regions, which gives their enterprises an opportunity to analyse the competitive factors of product promotion: its advantages and disadvantages. 

Alexey Vyalkin also stressed that by organising and holding international exhibitions, Russian exhibition centres offer a safe environment for clients, contractors and employees, thus attracting domestic and foreign customers. 

International exhibitions are reliable channels of networking for industry enterprises to promote export-oriented products. Exporters' participation in international trade shows held in Russia, especially in a period of post-pandemic volatility, creates a certain reserve to build the export potential of industries and regions to implement the national project "International Cooperation and Export", concluded EXPOCENTRE’s head. 

The panel participants also noted the importance and timeliness of the discussion of the stated topic. "We fully endorse the initiative to support domestic exporters at domestic international exhibitions," said Timur Irtuganov, General Director of the Association of Furniture and Wood Processing Industry of Russia. According to him, many export-oriented enterprises of the woodworking industry are skillfully using the existing support measures to participate in exhibitions. 

Tatiana An, Managing Director for the Organisation of Congress and Exhibition Events and Business Missions of the REC, spoke in detail about the tools of support for exporters under the Russian Export Centre. She explained that it is, first of all, about co-financing a part of expenses for exporters' participation in exhibition and fair events in the form of construction and delivery of exhibition cargo. Since this year, the REC has fully covered the costs of renting exhibition space by exporters. The amount of total co-financing has remained the same: up to 80% of costs for small and medium businesses and up to 50% of costs for other companies. The REC representative also detailed a new form of state support for the Russian enterprises to compensate part of the costs associated with participation in any international exhibition and fair events held abroad. 

Specific examples of support to exporters by regional export support centres and local chambers of commerce and industry were given by Lyudmila Malovanina, Head of the Vologda Region Export Support Centre, and Alexey Popov, Head of the External Relations Department of the Samara Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry Union. 

The need to expand support measures for the Russian small innovative enterprises and to increase subsidies for their participation in international exhibitions was pointed out by the President of the Laser Association Ivan Kovsh, as well as by Deputy General Director of the Dubna Special Economic Zone for Investments and Innovations Sergey Pisarev. According to them, small businesses also note the complexity of the reporting they have to provide in order to be reimbursed for the costs of participation in exhibitions. 

Vitaly Minkin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shebekinsky Machine Building Plant, and Viktor Kovalev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kraski Kvil Plant, shared their experience of participation in the exhibition activities of the enterprises in their industries. Elena Kolesnikova, Deputy General Director for Legal Affairs of NEGUS Expo International OOO, drew attention of the colleagues to a number of urgent problems which exhibition operators face during the pandemic, in particular because of the force majeure circumstances. 

At the end of the panel, the suggestions and comments made will be summarised and written in appeals to be sent to the competent authorities, the moderator concluded.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_rSjJ6qFPw 

Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO