The SME Forum

Geopolitical shifts in 2022 initiated a series of events that triggered substantial transformations in foreign economic activities. Logistics, payments, and the quest for untapped markets presented new hurdles. Nonetheless, these challenges were not only met with solutions but also sparked a reevaluation and redirection of business alliances. The enthusiasm among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for expanding international collaborations has surged remarkably. Simultaneously, major corporations from friendly countries have shown keen interest in establishing partnerships with Russian suppliers and counterparts. In light of these changes, what fresh opportunities and growth avenues are emerging for small business expansion? How can the facilitation of novel production and supply chains be bolstered? What strategies can be employed to cultivate promising sales markets? What is the outlook for entrepreneurial connections between Russian and foreign enterprises? What systemic support measures can SMEs anticipate?

Moderator
Viktoria Kladieva, Leading Specialist, TASS Press Center

Panellists
Alexey Baranov, Export Director, Vetbot
Zhang Wuyi, General Director, Ho'ping China
Rajnish Goenka, Founder, Chairman, MSME Development Forum
Yekaterina Zinovyeva, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Moscow Region - Minister of Investments, Industry and Science of the Moscow Region
Alexander Kalinin, President, All‑Russian Non‑Governmental Organization of Small and Medium‑Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA
Elena Krygina, Founder, KRYGINA cosmetics
Artem Lazutin, Head of Export Support Center, Business Development Agency of Ryazan Region
Veronika Nikishina, General Director, Russian Export Center
Sergey Sokolov, General Director, Novosibirskkhleboprodukt

Zhang Wuyi

General Director, Ho'ping China

Rajnish Goenka

Founder, Chairman, MSME Development Forum

Yekaterina Zinovyeva

Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Moscow Region - Minister of Investments, Industry and Science of the Moscow Region

Alexander Kalinin

President, All‑Russian Non‑Governmental Organization of Small and Medium‑Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA

Born on November 4, 1966 in the city of Chelyabinsk.
In 1989 graduated with honors from the Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute, specialization in robototronics, diploma qualification in electrical engineering.
From 1989 to 1991 has undertaken postgraduate training program at the Department of Engineering Economics of the Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute.
In 1991 founded a wholesale and retail company engaged in export and import operations. Fluent in spoken English.
In 1995-1998 has graduated from the Ural Academy of Public Administration with a degree in law.
In 1998 invested in the creation of a manufacturing company. The company designs and manufactures motor control centers, co-author of an invention patent.
In 2002 became a founding member of All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium Business “OPORA RUSSIA”.
In 2005 was elected Chairman of the Chelyabinsk regional office of “OPORA RUSSIA”.
In 2007 was elected to the Board of “OPORA RUSSIA”.
In 2012 was elected first Vice-President of “OPORA RUSSIA” on energy, infrastructure and cluster policy.
Since 2013 – member of the Government Commission on Electric Power Development.
In 2013 was elected Co-Chairman of the Staff of the Chelyabinsk regional branch of the All-Russian Public Movement “People's Front” for Russia!”
Since 2014 – member of the Board of Directors of JSC “ROSSETI” (June 2014), member of the Board of Directors of RAO “UES” (August 2014).
October 29, 2014 was elected President of All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium Business “OPORA RUSSIA” and Non-Profit Partnership “OPORA”
Awarded with certificates of acknowledgement of the Presidential Administration, Government of the Russian Federation, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region, Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk region.

Elena Krygina

Founder, KRYGINA cosmetics

Artem Lazutin

Head of Export Support Center, Business Development Agency of Ryazan Region

Veronika Nikishina

General Director, Russian Export Center

Panel member (Minister) of commerce in Eurasian Economic Commission since February 2016.
Born 29 April 1968. PhD in Economics, presented a thesis on Managing the access of Russian goods to foreign markets in modern conditions.
Prior to appointment as member of Commission had held a position of assistant to the First Deputy of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Veronika Nikishina held management positions in the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, including Deputy Director of the Department for Trade Negotiations, Head of the Department of American Countries and the Department for Coordination, Development and Regulation of Foreign Economic Activities.
After 17 years of working for the Ministry of Economic Development, Veronika Nikishina has extensive experience in identifying and eliminating various trade barriers, applying trade protection and veterinary, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, as well as experience in international negotiations.
Currently Veronika Nikishina supervises a number of key areas for the Eurasian Economic Union, such as customs tariff and non-tariff regulation, the establishment of preferential trade regimes with third countries (free trade area), and the application of protective measures by the Eurasian Economic Union.
From February 2020 - General Director, Russian Export Center.

Sergey Sokolov

General Director, Novosibirskkhleboprodukt

Front row participants
Konstantin Basmanov, Head of Small and Medium Enterprises Unit, Promsvyazbank
Andrey Belousov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
Aleksey Shilo, Deputy Managing Director, Head, Centre for Corporate Transport Services (CFTO), Russian Railways

Konstantin Basmanov

Head of Small and Medium Enterprises Unit, Promsvyazbank

From 2008 till 2015 Konstantin Basmanov was Head of Small and Medium Enterprises Unit and Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, Promsvyazbank PJSC.
From 2015 till 2017 he was Chairman of the Management Board of Vozrozhdenie Bank.
In 2018 he became Head of Small and Medium Enterprises Unit with Promsvyazbank PJSC again.
He is a member of the Board Presidium of OPORA RUSSIA, the All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium Business.

Andrey Belousov

First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation

Born March 17, 1959.

Education:
1981: Graduated with honours from the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Economics.
DSc (Economics).

Experience:
1981-1986: Intern researcher, junior researcher at the Central Economic Mathematical Institute at the USSR Academy of Sciences, man-machine system modelling laboratory.
1986-2006: Junior researcher, researcher, senior researcher, laboratory head at the Institute of Economics and Scientific and Technical Progress Forecasts at the USSR Academy of Sciences (later Institute of National Economy Prognostication at the Russian Academy of Sciences).
2000-2006: General director, Centre for Macroeconomic Analyses and Short-Term Prognostication.
2000-2006: External adviser to the Prime Minister.
2006-2008: Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Deputy Minister of Economic Development.
2008-May 2012: Director, Government Department of Economy and Finance.
May 21, 2012: Appointed Minister of Economic Development by Presidential Executive Order.
From 24 June 2013, Presidential Aide, appointed by executive order of the President of Russia.

Aleksey Shilo

Deputy Managing Director, Head, Centre for Corporate Transport Services (CFTO), Russian Railways