Not leaving: European businesses looking to retain markets in Russia

A meeting was held in Moscow between Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, and Tadzio Schilling, Director General of the Association of European Businesses (AEB). The parties discussed Roscongress Foundation’s projects and prospects of cooperation between Russian and European companies.

Participants assessed opportunities for strengthening partnerships between the European and Russian business and expert communities, and discussed the conditions for the participation of European companies in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and other business events in Russia.

“The Association of European Businesses is a regular participant in Roscongress Foundation’s events, representing the interests of leading European companies to Russian partners. We are confident that the search for points of contact and support for the initiatives of the Greater Eurasian business communities helps us to continue to maintain a common economic and digital space. I would like to emphasise that traditionally on the margins of major congress and exhibition events, such as SPIEF, EEF and SPILF, a Russia–EU business dialogue takes place. Today the Roscongress Foundation actively works with 180 foreign trade partners from 81 countries. The forthcoming forum track will facilitate the expansion of international cooperation, enhance the competitiveness of domestic products, and launch new promising projects and ideas,” noted Anton Kobyakov.

During the meeting, participants considered aspects of European business in the current geopolitical environment. “Many European companies remain in Russia. Everyone, both those who have left the Russian market and those who have stayed, have to adapt to the new conditions. Many European companies continue to do business in Russia, especially in sectors less affected by sanctions. And our task as an association is to help them survive the current crisis. The challenges that European companies are currently facing are truly unprecedented in both quantitative and qualitative terms. Against this background, we appreciate the willingness of public authorities to listen to the views of foreign businesses. I am convinced that it is the platforms of the forums that will enable such work to be carried out effectively,” said Tadzio Schilling.

 At the end of the meeting, Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation, invited Tadzio Schilling, Director General of the Association of European Businesses (AEB), to participate in the Eurasian Economic Forum (24–25 May) to be held in the framework of the Russian presidency of the bodies of the Eurasian Economic Union in 2023.

Key conclusions from previous years’ discussions can be viewed in the Roscongress Foundation Information and Analytical System (roscongress.org) and on the official Forum website (forumspb.com).

The 11th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum will be held from 11 to 13 May 2023. The 26th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held on 14–17 June 2023. The 8th Eastern Economic Forum will take place on 5–8 September 2023 on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. The Russian Energy Week will be held on 11–13 October 2023.

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