The SME Forum

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the foundation and backbone of urban economy, generating added value, tax revenue, and new jobs. Unifying the most effective types of support for entrepreneurs such as financial and material support, access to information, consultations, services provided by the Business Navigator, and others could help grow SME sector in towns and cities. Access to information is often vital for entrepreneurs, particularly regarding:
• opportunities for business development via franchising;
• comprehensive urban construction projects;
• opportunities to become involved in procurement processes by major companies in partnership with public sector;
• training programmes, etc.
These objectives can be achieved using a one-stop shop approach, where all the tools and services are available at a single point.
What is the most effective way of boosting the SME sector in smaller towns and cities? What can be done to simplify the process of launching a standard business? Could experienced entrepreneurs with a successful track record in business development replicate their experience across smaller towns and cities via a franchising model?

Moderator
Pavel Orlov, Anchor, Russia-24 TV Channel

Pavel Orlov

Anchor, Russia-24 TV Channel

Panellists
Alexander Braverman, General Director, Chairman of the Board, Russian Small and Medium Business Corporation
Alexander Brechalov, Head of the Udmurt Republic
Alexey Grigoriev, Head of Moscow Representative Office, METRO AG; Director of Corporate Public Policy, METRO in Russia
Irina Makieva, Deputy Chair, State Development Corporation "VEB.RF"
Ilnaz Nabiullin, Founder, Chio Chio Hairdresser Chain
Agnessa Osipova, President, Russian Franchise Association (RFA)
Marina Romanova, Deputy Chair, State Development Corporation "VEB.RF"

Alexander Braverman

General Director, Chairman of the Board, Russian Small and Medium Business Corporation

Mr. Braverman was born on May 1, 1954. He graduated from Kharkiv Engineering and Economics Institute and completed graduate studies at Lomonosov Moscow State Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies. He is a Doctor of Economic Sciences and a professor. 1995–1997 – He served as president of the Russian Marketing Association. 1997–1999 – He was Deputy Chairman of the State Property Committee of the Russian Federation and then First Deputy Minister of State Property of the Russian Federation as well as acting Minister of State Property of the Russian Federation. 1999–2000 – He served as president of the Russian Marketing Association. 2000–2004 – He was Deputy Minister of Property Relations of the Russian Federation and a State Secretary. 2006–2008 – He served as Chairman of the Committee for the Development of an Affordable Housing Market under the Russian Presidential Council for the Implementation of Priority National Projects and the Demographic Policy. August 2008 – Under Order No. 1145-r of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, he was appointed Director General of the Russian Housing Development Foundation.On Oct the 2nd 2015 A. Braverman was appointed as General Director of Joint-stock company «Russian Small and Medium Business Corporation» (JSC «RSMB Corporation» ). From October 12, 2015 he is a member of the Board of Directors of JSC «RSMB Corporation» ex officio.

Alexander Brechalov

Head of the Udmurt Republic

In 1994, he graduated with academic distinction from the Krasnodar Highest Military School (Military Institute) named after General of the Army S.M. Shtemenko. In 1999, he graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Law named after O.E. Kutafin. In 1994-1996 he was a deputy chief of the custodial service at the Chkalovskiy garrison (special air division). In 1996-1999 – lawyer at TV-6 Media.In 1999-2000 – lawyer at the Alfa Bank.In 2001-2002 – head of the legal division at the Uniastrum Bank.In 2002-2003 – director of the legal department at the Uniastrum Bank. In 2003-2006 – Director General at the LLC “Uniastrum Consulting”. In 2006-2011 – President of the Executive office at the LLC “VBO Consulting”.In 2011-2013 – President of the LLC “VBO Consult”.In 2013-2014 – President of the Russian National Non-Governmental Organization for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses “OPORA RUSSIA”. Since 2014 until 2017 – First Vice-President of the Russian National Non-Governmental Organization for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses “OPORA RUSSIA”. According to the Fund “Institute of Economic, Social and Political Studies”, he is at the top of the ISEPI-2016 List of the Most Promising Politicians and Public Figures in Russia. On 10 September 2017 Alexander Brechalov was elected head of the Udmurt Republic

Alexey Grigoriev

Head of Moscow Representative Office, METRO AG; Director of Corporate Public Policy, METRO in Russia

1960 Born in Bonn, Germany.
Education:
1977-1982 International law studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
1982-1985 Post-graduate studies, Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
1986 Dissertation and promotion to candidate of legal sciences.
Professional career:
1986-1992 Soviet/Russian Embassy, Berlin.
1992-1993 Foreign Ministry, Moscow.
1993-1995 Office of the Government of the Russian Federation, Moscow.
1995-1996 Foreign Ministry, Moscow.
1996-2001 Russian Embassy, Bonn/Berlin.
2001-2002 Deputy Director, Foreign Ministry, Moscow.
2002-2013 Director, Corporate Communications, Siemens LLC., Moscow.
Marital status: Married, 2 daughters.
Foreign languages: German, English.

Irina Makieva

Deputy Chair, State Development Corporation "VEB.RF"

Education:
• Graduated from the Gorky State University in 1989 with a degree in Economics, specialising in Industry Planning.
• Graduated from the Nizhny Novgorod Law Academy in 2001.
Experience:
• 2002–2004: Deputy Head of the Department for Regulation of Entrepreneurial Activity at the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
• 2004–2006: Chief Adviser at the Analytical Department of the Expert Division under the President of the Russian Federation.
2006: Deputy Head of the Department of Priority National Projects at the Expert Division under the President of the Russian Federation.
• 2006–2008: Head of the Department for Analysis of Performance by Executive Authorities at the Expert Division under the President of the Russian Federation.
• 2008–2009: Deputy Head of Secretariat of First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation I.I. Shuvalov.
• Since November 2009: Vice-Chairman of the State Corporation «The Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)».
Awards:
Has received commendations from the President of the Russian Federation.
Awarded with the medal “For Special Contribution to the Development of Kuzbass” of the 3rd degree in 2010 in recognition of her high professionalism and significant contribution to the social and economic development of the Kemerovo Region.
Awarded the Republic of Tatarstan medal “For Valiant Labour” in recognition of her efficient efforts to modernise the economy of mono-industry towns and fruitful cooperation with the Republic of Tatarstan. Has received a commendation from the President of the Republic of Tatarstan in recognition of her significant contribution to the social and economic development of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Ilnaz Nabiullin

Founder, Chio Chio Hairdresser Chain

Agnessa Osipova

President, Russian Franchise Association (RFA)

In 2014 – elected a Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Management.
On December 1, 2016 joined the Expert Council on development of trade activities in the Russian Federation of the Ministry of industry and trade of the Russian Federation.
Since June 2016 – President of the Russian Franchise Association (RFA).
Since 2016 – Osipova A.A. Member of the World Franchise Council (WFC) Under the leadership of Osipova A. A. JSC "BRPI" developed promising areas of activity of the enterprise, including the development of production and its modernization, franchise business promotion, improvement of the concepts and formats of outlets. Special attention is paid to supporting small and medium-sized businesses that provides the opportunity to open new businesses and create additional jobs in the regions of Russia and CIS countries. Currently more than 300 cafes of the company in 115 cities and countries of the CIS and Baltic States provide jobs for more than 2,000 people.
The plant quality management system is certified for compliance with ISO 9001-2008. In 2014 JSC "BRPI" received a certificate "Management System of food safety" FSSC 22000.
The plant quality management system is certified for compliance with ISO 9001-2008. In 2014 JSC "BRPI" received a certificate "management System of food safety" FSSC 22000.
Since 2009 JSC “BRPI” has been an Official Purveyor to the Moscow Kremlin.
JSC "BRPI" - the official licensee of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi 2014
The company conducts charitable activities and charity trips for school children to the ice cream factory, provides support to orphanages in Moscow and St.-Petersburg, to municipal societies and funds of the disabled.
JSC "BRPI" is a partner of the military tattoo festival "Spasskaya Tower" in the Red Square, the primary sponsor of ice-cream Festival in Sokolniki park, a partner in many Federal, municipal, sports, cultural and other social events.

Marina Romanova

Deputy Chair, State Development Corporation "VEB.RF"

Front row participants
Dmitry Golovanov, Chairman of the Board, SME Bank
Rifat Shaikhutdinov, Member of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development, and Entrepreneurship
Andrey Sharov, Vice-President, Head of GR Directorate, Sberbank

Dmitry Golovanov

Chairman of the Board, SME Bank

Dmitry Y. Golovanov was born in 1971 in Moscow. In 1996 he graduated from the State Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation (Finance and Credit specialty).In 1988 – 1994 he workedin the Main Territorial Department of the Bank of Russia in the Moscow Oblast.In 1994 - 1998 D.Golovanov worked in Unicombank where he rose from senior economist to head of lending and investment department. In 1998 he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Board of CB Respublikansky Bank. Since December 1999 he was acting director of the Russian Bank for Development and in August 2000 he was appointed member of the board and First Deputy Chairman of the Board (since April 2011 – SME Bank). From June 2014 till June 2016 – Chairman of the Board ROSEXIMBANK.From July 18, 2016 Dmitry Golovanov entered upon his duties as SME Bank’s CEO. The decision on his appointment was made by the Supervisory Board of the Bank on June 28, 2016.

Rifat Shaikhutdinov

Member of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development, and Entrepreneurship

Andrey Sharov

Vice-President, Head of GR Directorate, Sberbank

Born November 1, 1971. Graduated from Krasnoyarsk State University in 1994 and the Russian Civil Service Academy under the President of the Russian Federation in 1997. CSc (Law).Career1994: leading specialist, chief specialist of the legal department, Administration of Krasnoyarsk.1995–1996: leading specialist, chief specialist, head of department, Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.1996–2002: specialist expert, consultant, counsel of the Human Resource Department of the President of the Russian Federation (Presidential Executive Office).2002–2004: head of Civil Service Administration, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.2004–2009: Director, Department of State Regulation of the Economy, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.2009–2010: Director, Department for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and Competition, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.December 7, 2010: appointed Director, Department of State Governance, Regional Development and Local Government, Government Executive Office.May–November 2012: Vice Governor, Chairman of the Moscow Region Government.Since January 2014: Vice President, Head of Small Business Development Department, Sberbank of Russia.