The Enterprise Europe Network office within Malta Enterprise held its “Russia – Malta: SME cooperation without frontier” seminar last Thursday. The seminar was well-attended by entrepreneurs interested in learning more about the opportunities offered by the Russian market.
Designed as an intensive forum of practical information, the seminar was moderated by Brigitte Tanti from the Enterprise Europe Network and presented hands-on professionals who focused on the essentials required for tapping this emerging market.
The keynote introduction was delivered by Sergey Medvedev, Director of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Malta. Mr Medvedev gave a socio-economic overview of the Russian Federation and highlighted the main prospects for Malta -Russia business collaboration. Birgit von Oehsen, a market-entry specialist based in Moscow, presented an effective eye-opening blueprint for successfully growing a business in Russia by outlining critical marketing and contact-making do’s and don’ts. This was followed by an interesting intervention by Nik Kozlov, a young Russian entrepreneur who spoke about the realities that exist today and the potential collaboration opportunities that may be tapped by the Maltese business community.
At the end of the seminar, Brigitte Tanti announced the Business Cooperation Mission to Moscow – an event that is scheduled to take place on 9 – 12 November 2009. It is expected that eight Maltese entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors will travel with the Enterprise Europe Network to Moscow to explore the Russian market and to encourage new business and investment opportunities that will bring long-term benefits to the Maltese entrepreneur.
“With the national and international economies in distress, now more than ever Maltese businesses must be aggressive about economic and business development,” Ms Tanti said. “We must continue to position Malta internationally so that when the economy rebounds we are present in the economic recovery.”
The Russian Federation is the world’s largest country by area, covering one-ninth of the world’s landmass and accommodating the world’s eighth largest population [147 million]. The Federation is a multinational state, consisting of many diverse territories at different stages of development. Russia is also the world’s eighth largest economy with a wealth of natural resources and has enjoyed sustained economic growth for the last eight years, fuelled by high international oil and commodity prices. The resulting rising incomes have made Russia a fast growing market for international goods and services.
Russia’s economy is showing consistent strength and GDP is continually rising. Growth is spread across various sectors of the market, with growth most visible in such areas as food and beverage, retail or luxury goods. With wages increasing significantly in recent years, the retail market has grown rapidly.
“The focus of the upcoming business mission will be to assist the Maltese participating companies to expand and explore trade and investment opportunities in the Russian Federation,” Ms Tanti stated. “Entrepreneurs wishing to enter the Russian market must undertake thorough market research and build personal business relationships. All this will be facilitated by our event.”
Russia offers plenty of opportunities for flexible Maltese companies with a clear added value and such companies are encouraged to form part of the Business Cooperation Mission to Moscow this November. Further details re participation may be obtained from Malta Enterprise [tel: 25423440].
