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.