The SME Forum

Both sanctions and further transition towards import substitution make it more important than ever to organize unhindered sales of produce for all enterprises, including small businesses and farms. Meanwhile, non-network trade is yet to become a full-fledged tool to sell goods and food produced in Russia. How do sanctions and restrictive measures related to the spread of the coronavirus affect SMEs in trade? How can government support instruments and proposals for additional financial and non-financial measures be more effective? Is there a threat of increased illegal turnover of excisable products in the current environment? Risks VS. checks: how to balance interests? How to establish cooperation between SMEs and large trading businesses? What is the role of wholesale and retail markets for industrial products and food for SMEs and enterprises in Russian consumer cooperation?

Panellists
Sergey Gritsay, First Deputy Chairman of the Council, Central Union of Consumer Societies of the Russian Federation (Centrosoyuz of Russia)
Elena Dybova, Vice President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
Sergey Lebedev, Vice President of Government Relations, AliExpress Russia
Marina Romanova, Chief Managing Director for SMEs and Procurements, VEB.RF
Sergey Ryabukhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Budget and Financial Markets
Sergey Slipchenko, Member of the Presidium of the Board, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA

Sergey Gritsay

First Deputy Chairman of the Council, Central Union of Consumer Societies of the Russian Federation (Centrosoyuz of Russia)

Elena Dybova

Vice President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation

Born on March 14, 1965 in Rzhev, Tver Region. She graduated with distinction from the Moscow Technological Institute. A Lenin Scholarship holder. In 1991, she opened her own company, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in March 2016. In 2014, Elena Dybova was appointed head of the Committee for Development of the Small and Medium-Sized Businesses under the CCI of Russia. At the 7th Congress of the CCI of Russia, she was elected Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.
Elena Dybova takes an active part in all events (conferences, roundtables and meetings) to protect the interests of small businesses and optimise their cooperation with government authorities. She is a member of the working group for joint anti-corruption measures of representatives of the business community and government authorities under the Presidium of the Presidential Council for Counteracting Corruption, a member of the Government Commission on Crime Prevention and the Expert Council for Contract Relations under the Ministry for Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
Elena Dybova is a member of the Regional Headquarters of the Regional Department of the All-Russia Public Movement PEOPLE’s FRONT FOR RUSSIA in Moscow and head of the Working Group “For Honest and Efficient Economy”. She is married with two children.

Sergey Lebedev

Vice President of Government Relations, AliExpress Russia

Marina Romanova

Chief Managing Director for SMEs and Procurements, VEB.RF

Sergey Ryabukhin

First Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Budget and Financial Markets

Sergey Slipchenko

Member of the Presidium of the Board, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA

Sergey Slipchenko joined Philip Morris International (PMI) affiliates in Russia as sales representative in 1994. He has further progressed through various positions of increased responsibility in Sales. In 2000, Sergey was appointed Manager Sales Development and Training at PMI Operations Center in Lausanne and moved to Switzerland.
During his next career stage, Sergey worked as Director Sales and Distribution at Philip Morris Ukraine where he later headed the Marketing function. In 2007, he returned to Russia as Director Marketing, and in 2010, he was promoted to the position of Managing Director Philip Morris Romania and Bulgaria.
Sergey was appointed Vice President Corporate Affairs for PMI affiliates in Russia in January 2015. In this capacity, he is in charge of Government Relations, Communications, and Public Affairs.
Sergey was born on January 18, 1971, in Moscow, Russia. He holds a degree in international journalism from the Moscow State University. In 2001, he earned an Executive MBA at INSEAD Business School.

Front row participants
Alexander Bubnov, General Director, Kupets
Natalia Evchuk, Director, Fasol

Alexander Bubnov

General Director, Kupets

Natalia Evchuk

Director, Fasol