SME Forum at SPIEF 2023: Key Issues and Growth Points for Russian Small Business
On 14 June, the opening day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Russian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Forum will bring together representatives of federal and regional authorities, the banking sector, development institutions, business associations and entrepreneurs from all regions of the country. The main theme will be international business cooperation. The Forum's business programme includes sessions covering key issues and points of growth for small businesses in Russia. The Russian SME Forum is co-organized by the Roscongress Foundation and OPORA RUSSIA.
The SME Forum will feature business discussions in a new format, encompassing debates, workshops, failure stories, and more. These activities are organized into four thematic blocks: foreign economic activity, money, cooperation, and a business networking platform. The highlight of the Forum will be the plenary session titled "International Cooperation: From Challenges to Solutions," during which participants will explore emerging opportunities and growth areas for small business development. They will also discuss strategies to support the development of new production and supply chains, among other relevant issues.
More than ten sessions are scheduled as part of the Forum's business programme. The events in the Foreign Economic Activity block will focus on discussing entrepreneurs' experiences when entering the international market, enhancing Russian business education to meet market demands, exploring the latest trends in e-commerce in Russia, and assessing the export potential of Russian IT products, among other topics. Additionally, there will be a dedicated session to address inquiries regarding new opportunities for Russian exporters of industrial products to the UAE.
The Money block will comprise events focused on efficient financial tools for fast-growing companies, the advantages and opportunities of business development on online platforms, and financing options for growing businesses. During the workshop, participants will address the main challenges encountered by entrepreneurs and their underlying causes. Furthermore, a master class will shed light on the current state of the Russian venture capital market, while dispelling myths surrounding tax legislation.
The Cooperation block will include a session on the specifics and measures to support social entrepreneurship and the role of the media industry in the development of SMEs in Russia. Additionally, there will be master classes dedicated to procurement and contractor development, new approaches to transforming manufacturing SMEs, and a panel discussion on the declaration on interaction between big business and SMEs. This declaration was developed by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and involved business associations under the guidance of Andrey Belousov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
During the Forum, there will be a Business Networking Platform where participants and guests can connect with potential partners and like-minded individuals to share their experiences. This platform will provide optimal conditions for productive and comfortable business communication.
“The Russian SME Forum will cover a wide range of topics that are crucial for the development of small and medium-sized businesses, both domestically and in friendly nations. Entrepreneurs will have a genuine opportunity to discover partners, seek essential solutions, and receive support for their businesses. Therefore, we cordially invite representatives from the small and medium business community to participate in the Russian SME Forum,” stressed Alexander Kalinin, President of OPORA RUSSIA.
