Roscongress Foundation’s international platform Roscongress International summarizes its 2025 results

In 2025, the Roscongress Foundation’s international platform Roscongress International consistently pursued its mission of promoting international dialogue in the areas of trade and economic cooperation as well as cultural and humanitarian exchange. A key outcome of the year was a significant expansion of the platform’s project work.

“Today we are living in a challenging geopolitical environment, with historic changes taking place in international relations. In such times, it is essential to maintain external dialogue. In this context, convention and business events held abroad with the participation of representatives of the Russian Government, various ministries, state agencies, and the business community become particularly relevant. Russia demonstrates its openness and readiness to cooperate and develop joint projects with foreign countries. The results of meetings and agreements reached at such international venues are traditionally consolidated at key business events held in Russia, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum, Russian Energy Week, and other discussion platforms,” noted Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation.

In 2025, Roscongress International focused on several strategic areas: organizing a series of business events abroad; establishing the Roscongress International Cooperation Area at the Roscongress Foundation’s flagship events in Russia; arranging Roscongress International Business Travel trips and providing related comprehensive partner support services; and opening and launching a project office in Latin America. These initiatives strengthened the platform’s position as an effective tool for building trust-based dialogue with partners and implementing joint international projects.

“The Roscongress Foundation, as the largest organizer of international convention, exhibition, and business events, creates a space of international trust. The Roscongress International brand is already well known in many countries and has a strong pool of partners and friends across dozens of nations who are interested not merely in friendship with our country, but in developing the international business community and maintaining an open dialogue with government representatives. I am confident that cooperating at the Roscongress Foundation’s flagship venues in Russia, as well as the organizing events of our format abroad contributes to both expanding dialogue and developing international relations, which is something of particular importance today,” emphasized Alexander Stuglev, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation.

A key area of Roscongress International’s work in 2025 was the organization of business events abroad. In cooperation with partners, over a dozen events were organized, with an additional four events supported by the Foundation. Their geography covered 15 countries: Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Türkiye.

“Over the years, the Roscongress Foundation has built an extensive international ecosystem, which today brings together 239 partners from 90 countries. It resulted in the launch of the Roscongress International platform in 2024, which focused on supporting international business initiatives. In 2025, we made a qualitative leap in its development: significantly expanded our project portfolio, added partners, and held a series of successful events around the world, making a substantial contribution to advancing international dialogue and business cooperation. We intend to continue strengthening these efforts,” said Alexandra Ogneva, Deputy CEO and Head of the International and Regional Cooperation Directorate of the Roscongress Foundation.

In 2025, Roscongress International organized major business events that significantly contributed to the development of international cooperation, including Russia–Mexico Business Forum (3 April, Mexico City); Russia–Indonesia Business Forum held alongside the 13th meeting of the Russia–Indonesia Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation (14 April, Jakarta); Russia–Qatar Business Forum (17 April, Moscow); Russia–Brazil Business Forum held alongside the BRICS Business Forum 2025 (5 July, Rio de Janeiro); the Central Asian International Economic Forum within the framework of the international scientific and media expedition ‘Journey to the Heart of Eurasia 2025’ (22 July, Dushanbe); Verona Eurasian Economic Forum (30–31 October, Istanbul); Russia–Oman Business Forum and a business mission to Muscat involving Russian official and business circles (12–13 November, Muscat); Saudi-Russian Business Forum held alongside the 9th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Saudi-Russian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation (1 December, Riyadh); India–Russia Business Forum (4–5 December, New Delhi), timed to the state visit of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to India; US–Russia Dialogue (9 December, Dubai); UAE–Russia Business Forum held alongside the 12th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russia–UAE Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation (10 August, Dubai); the 16th India–Russia Business Dialogue (16 December, Moscow); and the dialogue ‘Strengthening Trilateral Cooperation’ as part of a pre-event held alongside the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum (19 December, Cairo).

Around 18 organizations in Russia and abroad acted as co-organizers, including the National Chamber of the Processing Industry of Mexico (CANACINTRA), the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar, Russia–Brazil Business Council, Russia–Tajikistan Business Council under the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the executive authority of the city of Dushanbe, the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization ‘International Center for Regional Integration,’ the ‘Discover Eurasia’ Association, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Sultanate of Oman, Russia–Saudi Business Council, Russia–Arab Business Council, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, Russia–UAE Business Council, the Indian Business Alliance, the Business Council for Cooperation with India, and the Government of Moscow.

Support for Roscongress International events was also provided by Russian government agencies and business associations, including the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Russia–ASEAN Business Council, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, as well as Russian diplomatic missions abroad, embassies and trade missions, plus many other organizations and agencies.

With the support of the Roscongress Foundation, several major international events were also held in 2025, including the Eurasia Expo international exhibition (21–24 February, Tehran); the ‘Russia – Regional Investment’ Forum session within the framework of AIM Congress 2025 (7–8 April, Abu Dhabi); the 6th Kyrgyz-Russian Economic Forum (13–15 August, Issyk-Kul Region); and Russian-Thai Investment Forum (26–28 November, Phuket).

At the Abu Dhabi International Hunting, Fishing, Equestrian, and Outdoor Exhibition (ADIHEX) (30 August – 7 September), Roscongress International organized an exhibition dedicated to the Falcon Day International Forum and other Foundation projects, enabling the sharing of Russia’s unique environmental protection practices with foreign partners.

On 26 October in Hanoi, during the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, the national stand of the Russian Federation entitled ‘Russia: A Territory of Innovation’ organized by the Roscongress Foundation, was presented for the first time. Russian companies and organizations participated under the unified Roscongress International and Innovation Space brand.

The significance of events involving Roscongress International is determined primarily by their effectiveness and practical outcomes. These events have proven to be an efficient tool for deepening international dialogue, clearly outlining prospects for Russia’s cooperation with foreign countries, and comprehensively presenting to the world the country’s and its regions’ trade, economic, investment, technological, and cultural and humanitarian potential, reinforcing Russia’s image as an open and responsible partner. Signed agreements, new contracts, and established business contacts directly demonstrate the demand for the Roscongress International platform and confirm that congress and exhibition activities remain a key catalyst for international cooperation.

In 2025, Roscongress International launched a new thematic and communication format at the Roscongress Foundation’s flagship events in Russia: the Roscongress International Cooperation Area. This unified communication space is designed for dialogue among representatives of government and public institutions, business circles, expert communities from Russia and abroad, as well as international organizations and integration associations. The creation of the Area responded to demand from the international business community and foreign delegations for a specialized negotiation and thematic venue tailored to the needs of international participants seeking partners in Russia.

The Roscongress International Cooperation Area was first organized at the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (18–21 June, St. Petersburg). It brought together stands of foreign partners of the Roscongress Foundation, negotiation spaces, and a multifunctional hall for presentations, discussions, and the signing of cooperation agreements.

At SPIEF 2025, the Roscongress International Cooperation Area demonstrated high efficiency: 12 thematic discussions were held, along with 18 meetings and negotiations. A notable achievement was the signing of 21 cooperation agreements at the venue, strengthening the Roscongress Foundation’s partnerships with Russian and international organizations, including business associations, chambers of commerce, educational institutions, and Russian regions.

Partners of the Area included the Republic of South Africa with a national stand, the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia under the INVEST SAUDI brand, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC), the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, Promselselkhozbank LLC, and the ‘Discover Eurasia’ Association.

Additional contributions to the Area’s thematic content at SPIEF 2025 were made by the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (CCLAR), IberAtlantic Global Corporation, Russia–China Committee of Friendship, Peace, and Development, Leningrad Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Russia – South Africa Business Council, the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the international media network TV BRICS, the Youth Council of the Bank of Russia, and numerous experts, public figures, and business representatives from Russia and abroad.

The Roscongress International Cooperation Area was also organized as a special negotiation space at the 10th anniversary Eastern Economic Forum (3–6 September, Vladivostok). Its infrastructure included partner stands, a closed negotiation area, and an open lounge.

Partners included Russian-Thai Business Council and the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia together with the innovation brand Passion. More than 30 targeted meetings were held within the Area. In addition to partners, participants in business discussions included Philippine-Russian Business Assembly, the Indian Business Council, Russia–ASEAN Business Council, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Myanmar, the Association of Vietnamese Businesspeople in Russia, the Association of European Businesses, the ‘Discover Eurasia’ Association, the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Laos, the Mongolian Economic Forum, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the Digital Council of Thailand, China Association for Overseas Development of Enterprises, the Indian Chamber of International Business, the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, and many others.

In 2025, Roscongress International also launched another project entitled Roscongress International Business Travel, offering comprehensive solutions for organizing business trips. Services include partner search through the Foundation’s extensive international contact base; scheduling and comprehensive support of B2B and B2G meetings; logistics and accommodation arrangements; linguistic support; photography and video services; protocol support; consultations on intercultural business communication; cultural programmes; exclusive tours; and more. Business matching and meeting organization services under this project were successfully piloted at Roscongress Foundation events in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and India.

Finally, in 2025, the Roscongress Foundation’s project office in Latin America began operations, serving as a contact centre for partners from Russia and Latin American countries, acting as a “one-stop shop” for establishing business and humanitarian ties, and promoting cooperation between Russian and Latin American organizations across various sectors.

In 2025, Roscongress International facilitated the signing of 34 cooperation agreements. Most were concluded with business associations and councils, chambers of commerce and industry, foundations and non-profit organizations, as well as regional governments of the Russian Federation.

The geographic scope of new partners is broad and balanced, with a predominance of organizations from the Middle East (UAE and Oman), Asia (Vietnam, India, China, Laos, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand), Europe (Moldova, Slovakia, and France), and Latin America (the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, CCLAR). The Roscongress Foundation also signed cooperation agreements with major international organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture for Arab Countries. The nature of these agreements reflects the Foundation’s strategic course as a national development institution toward diversifying international ties, deepening cooperation with regions of key importance to Russia – Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, as well as developing institutional partnerships to support trade, investment, technological exchange, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

Summing up the results of 2025, Roscongress International looks to the future and is actively preparing plans for the coming year. The geography of upcoming events is expected to include Türkiye, Thailand, Oman, the UAE, Mongolia, the Philippines, as well as countries in Africa and Latin America. At the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Roscongress International Cooperation Area will once again serve as a central hub for international business dialogue, expanding the representation of the Foundation’s foreign partners. The platform will continue providing business travel and business matching services and further develop the activities of its Latin America project office. The goal of Roscongress International remains unchanged: to create new opportunities for the international business community.

Russian, Egyptian, African officials discuss potential for trilateral cooperation in Cairo

The dialogue ‘Strengthening Trilateral Cooperation’, which was organized by the Roscongress International platform, took place in Cairo on 19 December. The dialogue was part of the pre-event on the sidelines of the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo. It started with a presentation by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD). The Roscongress International managed the dialogue on the Russian side.

The discussion participants included: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and Ambassador Abu Bakr Hefny Mahmoud, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Mali Bouréma Kansaye, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev, Director of the Project Office for Education and International Cooperation at the Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation Valery Karezin, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University Yevgeny Lyubin, Director of Investment Facilitation at the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) James Michael Maziku, Managing Director of Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Gwen Mwaba, and Director of Credit Products for Banks and Financial Institutions at the Russian Export Center Group Viktoria Strizhakova.

The dialogue was moderated by Director of the Centre for African Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics Andrey Maslov. “It’s nice that we are meeting for the first time in Egypt this year. The Russia–Africa format was launched six years ago with the first Summit co-chaired by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who at that time was also the Chairman of the African Union. Over this time, it has been a long journey that included summits and ministerial conferences of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum. The Roscongress Foundation has been consistently developing this format throughout these years by not only organizing events, but also a sustainable communication system that now functions as a full-fledged institution for the development of Russian-African cooperation,” Andrey Maslov said.

The participants discussed a wide range of issues concerning the development of the Russian-African partnership, including the expansion of economic and investment cooperation, the launch of joint infrastructure and energy projects, cooperation in education, science and personnel training, as well as humanitarian and cultural exchanges. They paid particular attention to the creation of sustainable dialogue formats that could help transition from discussing to practically implementing initiatives.

Abu Bakr Hefny Mahmoud noted the key role played by the BRICS New Development Bank in expanding financial opportunities for African countries. “We view the New Development Bank as a financially stable institution with a high credit rating that is capable of offering African countries more favourable concessional financing instruments complemented by technical assistance,” he said.

The Egyptian diplomat also pointed out the need to intensify bilateral cooperation, including discussions on Russian industrial enterprises in the Suez Canal zone, as well as prospects for cooperation in space – from remote sensing of the Earth to monitoring natural resources. He also noted the potential of debt-for-development swaps as an effective tool to support countries that are experiencing difficulties with accessing international financial markets.

During the dialogue, Bouréma Kansaye said that Mali has entered into a fundamentally new stage of cooperation with Russia, which is becoming one of the key factors in improving the country’s scientific, technological, and human resources sovereignty.

“Russia is a strategic and reliable partner for us. Our cooperation is taking on concrete forms and steadily developing in sectors that are crucial for Mali’s sovereignty and progress. Russia and Mali are rapidly bringing their educational systems closer together already today. The first meeting of the Russian-Malian working group on education and science clearly confirmed our mutual interest. And we are taking things a step further: in the near future, we will ensure full mutual recognition of diplomas – both Malian diplomas in Russia and Russian diplomas in Mali,” Bouréma Kansaye said.

Alexander Stuglev noted in his speech that the Russia–Africa platforms help to create new formats of interaction between the government, business, and the expert community, and also to launch practical joint projects in key sectors of the economy.

The participants paid particular attention to the creation of a sustainable trilateral partnership platform based in Egypt that could become a regular mechanism for promoting joint initiatives and intensifying Russian-African cooperation.

“The dialogue platforms in the Russia–Africa format help us move from exchanging positions to implementing specific projects in energy, infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, and food security, and also create a foundation for long-term partnership and expanding interaction between the government and businesses,” Alexander Stuglev said.

The first and second Russia–Africa summits in Sochi and St. Petersburg, which were both organized by the Roscongress Foundation, created a mechanism for systematic project work between Russia and the African continent. The summits resulted in the signing of hundreds of agreements, many of which are now being actively implemented.

Alexander Stuglev noted that many joint Russian-African initiatives are a direct result of dialogues held at major international platforms, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian Energy Week, the Let’s Travel! International Tourism Forum, and the ‘Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum’ International Economic Forum.

The discussion addressed projects in the energy and infrastructure development sectors, joint initiatives in tourism, programmes in healthcare and personnel training, as well as projects to bolster food security. Alexander Stuglev also invited Russia’s African partners to become part of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area at major international forums.

During the discussion, the officials confirmed their mutual interest in further expanding cooperation and expressed their readiness to continue a substantive dialogue at key international platforms. They noted that regular meetings and discussion formats will help to develop coordinated approaches and launch new joint projects that meet the long-term interests of Russia and African nations.

First UAE–Russia Business Forum held in Dubai

The First UAE–Russia Business Forum, a highlight of business interaction between Russia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), took place in Dubai on 10 December. The Forum was organized by the Russia–UAE Business Council and Roscongress International with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Marathon Investment Group. More than 500 individuals attended the event and included business executives and investors from Russia and the UAE, government officials from the two countries, and the representatives of technology startups.

The Forum hosted the signing of a number of agreements that will set the tone for collaboration between businesses in Russia and the UAE for years to come. Cooperation in logistical matters and the use of the Ras Al Khaimah Free Economic Zone (RAKEZ) as a base for Russian companies to enter the UAE and third countries inscribed in a memorandum of cooperation concluded between the Russia–UAE Business Council and the RAKEZ will contribute to a growth in trade and re-exports. The Russia–UAE Business Council also concluded a partnership agreement with Gazprom-Media Holding to promote Russian content, educational projects, and business initiatives in the UAE, and the Russia–UAE Business Council memorandum signed with the Sharjah Technology and Innovation Park will set the stage for joint work in the field of cutting-edge technologies, sustainable development, and the long-term pursuit of UAE–Russia innovation track.

The highlight of the Forum was the plenary session, ‘Architecture of a Long-Term Growth: New Opportunities for Both Сountries’, which was moderated by the Russia–UAE Business Council Chairman Alexander Vinokurov, with the ensuing discussion centering around cooperation of an economic nature, practical mechanisms for the countries to engage in joint projects, promising areas of growth, and new opportunities for businesses in both countries.

“Today’s Forum marks the beginning of an ambitious, well-structured new phase of economic partnership between Russian and the UAE. We have yet to achieve our full joint economic potential. Although tens of billions of dollars are already pouring into investment and trade, the untapped potential is much greater, and we need to close that gap,” the Russia–UAE Business Council Chairman Alexander Vinokurov said. “And that is the Russia–UAE Business Council’s ultimate raison d’etre.”

The plenary session was attended by Minister of Economy and Tourism of the UAE H. E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov, Deputy Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) Mansour AlMulla, Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Board Member of the VTB Bank Vitaly Sergeychuk, and CEO of Gazprom-Media Holding Alexander Zharov.

Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov said: “We are currently engaging with Emirati partners across the board to identify new projects in civil aviation, shipbuilding, oil and gas equipment, the space industry, and digital technologies with the potential to benefit both sides and working to bring them forward, with a special focus on long-term industrial and technological projects and partnerships. I have no doubt that by working together we will succeed in taking bilateral trade and economic relations to new heights and opening new windows into third-country markets.”

Minister of Economy and Tourism of the UAE H. E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri said: “The UAE and Russia enjoy a partnership founded on openness, respect, and an unwavering commitment to practical economic cooperation. This partnership has expanded significantly over the past few years and demonstrated resilience in the face of rising global tensions. Our governments and private sectors continue to find new opportunities for collaboration. Russia’s industrial potential, scientific expertise, and sizeable market are a good match for the UAE as a global hub for capital, logistics, and entrepreneurship. The opportunities in the UAE awaiting Russian companies seeking to expand in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia are obvious.”

Chairman and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev spoke of the important opportunity the Forum provided for Russian and Emirati officials to engage directly.

“The Forum was a unique opportunity for Russia and the UAE to build trust and discuss key areas ranging from trade and logistics to manufacturing and technology. When government officials and businesspeople are able to talk directly and develop practical solutions for sustainable, mutually beneficial cooperation together, it leads to real results,” Stuglev said.

Besides the plenary session, the Forum also included panel discussions dedicated to the outlook for technological cooperation and the development of trade and logistics between Russia and the UAE. Participants of the ‘UAE–Russia Innovation Track: A New Era of Technological Partnership’ session discussed promising technologies for the real sector, breakthrough business models, and strategies for Russian startups to successfully enter international markets. The panel discussion ‘UAE and Russia: Shaping the Ecosystem of Trade and Logistics of the Future’ drew attention to the creation of new transit corridors and introduction of new multimodal solutions, trade diversification, and an exchange of experience with successful logistics projects.

Forum speakers discussed the positive trends currently showing between Russia and the UAE on investment. The growing trade turnover of recent years is expected to exceed USD 10 billion in 2025 as joint projects in manufacturing, transport, logistics, agriculture, digital technology, medicine, and investment expand and cooperation in both traditional and innovative sectors like IT continue to develop. According to the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, more than 13,500 Russian companies are now active in the country, with 2,000 registered just this year.

The UAE–Russia Business Forum was held as part of the 12th session of the Russia–UAE Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, and Technical Cooperation in Dubai. It is expected to take place annually, with the second UAE–Russia Business Forum planned for Moscow in 2026.

India–Russia Business Forum wraps up in New Delhi

The India–Russia Business Forum took place in New Delhi on 4–5 December. The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, following a directive from the President of the Russian Federation. The business programme drew over 3,000 participants from corporate and government sectors across both nations. The Forum’s highlight was a meeting between participants and the two countries’ leaders – President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi.

“Panel sessions and expert discussions held during the India–Russia Business Forum addressed a broad range of specific issues concerning economic cooperation between Russia and India. Most importantly, the Forum facilitated new business connections, initiated negotiations for future commercial deals, and launched promising, mutually beneficial projects. I would like to emphasize the key point: when we conceived, organized, and proposed this Forum, it was designed from the outset to showcase the multifaceted opportunities for our cooperation. I want it to be clear that the Russian delegation came not only to discuss energy matters, not only to place orders and sign contracts for oil or gas supplies. We want to develop relations: comprehensive, multi-dimensional relations with India across various sectors,” President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin stressed in his address.

Speaking to participants at the India–Russia Business Forum, Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi emphasized that mutual trust forms the foundation of any partnership. “The greatest strength in India–Russia relations is precisely our mutual trust. It is reciprocal, and this drives our efforts forward. It inspires us and gives us wings to realize our aspirations. Our role extends beyond increasing bilateral trade. We want to ensure the welfare of all humanity, and for this we need long-term solutions to existing global challenges. India is ready to work shoulder to shoulder with Russia on this path,” the Prime Minister of the Republic of India said.

The Forum’s opening day featured a strategic session titled ‘Sell to Russia: New Opportunities for Indian Business’ that brought together Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation; Anant Goenka, President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Vice Chairman of RPG Group; Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India; Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation; Rajesh Agrawal, Commerce Secretary of the Government of India; Oxana Lut, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation; Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying of the Government of India; Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation; Amit Agrawal, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the Government of India; Maksut Shadaev, Minister of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media of the Russian Federation; Srinivasan Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and IT of the Government of India; Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; and Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles of the Government of India. During the discussion, participants outlined key metrics and achievements in bilateral cooperation whilst mapping out pathways for further development and strengthening ties between the two nations.

Maxim Oreshkin highlighted the importance and timeliness of the Business Forum in his opening remarks to guests and participants. “The Russian delegation and business community have come for Indian goods and services; we want to significantly increase our purchases. This isn't a short-term initiative but a strategic choice in developing relations between the world's third and fourth largest economies,” he said. “Today, India is one of the key drivers of the global economy. Given demographic trends and urbanization, India will lead global growth for decades to come and is a major player in international trade. India has also achieved remarkable results in science and technology,” Oreshkin added.

Side discussions at the Business Forum centred on boosting Indian companies' foothold in the Russian market, strengthening industrial ties and rolling out joint ventures, ramping up Russian imports of Indian food and pharmaceuticals, fostering high-tech partnerships, and facilitating Indian labour mobility to Russia. The talks also spotlighted key pillars of the bilateral relationship, spanning trade, procurement, technology development, and other strategic sectors.

“The India–Russia Business Forum in Delhi clearly showed that our partnership keeps growing stronger, grounded in mutual respect, pragmatism and a shared belief that a multipolar world requires robust, technologically sophisticated and economically resilient Russia–India cooperation. Both countries are steadily advancing economic projects and boosting bilateral trade. The business programme focused heavily on joint innovation, localizing production, building reliable supply chains and establishing new transport routes. I'm confident we'll see tangible results from the agreements struck at this Forum, not just in rising trade figures but in more joint ventures, research collaborations, and greater staff exchanges between our nations,” said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation.

The India–Russia Business Forum’s business programme featured six panel discussions on expanding partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation: attracting skilled personnel and navigating differences in business communication, management approaches and corporate culture; strengthening partnerships in cutting-edge technologies, and exploring promising areas for AI and digital technology collaboration; supplying Indian pharmaceuticals and medical equipment to the Russian market, localizing Indian companies’ production in Russia, jointly establishing modern medical-industrial complexes for drug and medical technology manufacturing, and identifying promising avenues for bilateral economic partnership to strengthen healthcare systems in both countries.

The business programme spotlighted current retail trends in Russia and opportunities for Indian manufacturers, alongside success stories of Indian brands entering Russian and Indian markets. Delegates explored how government agencies and development institutions could better support Indian SMEs looking to establish operations in Russia. The agenda also covered potential for new manufacturing hubs and supply networks, plus the rollout of smart production technologies from automation and IoT to AI-driven quality control and green manufacturing methods.

The agreements reached during the dialogue were formalized through several cooperation deals and memorandums aimed at expanding collaboration between business representatives, civil society organizations and media outlets from Russia and India. These included: a cooperation agreement between the Roscongress Foundation and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM); a cooperation agreement between the Roscongress Foundation and the Confederation of Indian Industry; a cooperation agreement between Russia’s TASS news agency and Press Trust of India (PTI); a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in alcoholic beverage production between Russia’s Abrau-Durso and Indospirit Beverages Pvt. Ltd.; a letter of intent for an investment project to build a plant in the Kaluga Region to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API); a general cooperation agreement between Russia’s SCAD Tech and India’s Omega Elevators; a cooperation memorandum between Business Russia and the All India Association of Industries and the World Trade Centre Mumbai; a memorandum of understanding between Prasar Bharati and Gazprom-Media Holding; a memorandum of understanding and cooperation between Russian Export Center and Invest India, National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of the Government of India; a memorandum of understanding and cooperation between Russian Export Center and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO); an agreement to establish the International Research Centre Laboratory of Grand Challenges between Russia’s Skoltech and India’s SRM Institute of Science and Technology; and a memorandum of understanding between international media network TV BRICS and India’s state mass communications operator Prasar Bharati on establishing information cooperation.

The India–Russia Business Forum also featured B2B meetings designed to forge new business connections and establish direct partnerships between participants.

VTB Bank (PJSC) was the Forum’s General Sponsor, with Sber acting as General Partner. Forum Partners included Rosatom, PSK Pharma Private Limited, Ingosstrakh insurance company and Pharmasyntez Group. The cultural programme was supported by the Moscow Government and Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow.

Indian Partners included leading business associations ASSOCHAM (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Russian-Thai Investment Forum: New Opportunities for Bilateral Relations

The first ever Russian-Thai Investment Forum brought businesspeople, investors, and government officials from Russia, Thailand, and other countries to Phuket on 26–28 November 2025. Over a three-day period, the Forum was attended by more than 1,100 visitors from Russia, Thailand, China, and all across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

The Forum was organized by the Russian-Thai Business Council (Association for the Development of Entrepreneurship and Support of Business Relations with Thailand) in conjunction with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in Russia, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Thailand, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. The business programme partners were Rosatom and Sberbank. The strategic partner was Made in Russia. The media partners were Forbes and Russkoye Radio. The organizational partners were the Roscongress Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, and Delovaya Rossiya. The official transport company of the Forum in Phuket was Etagi.

Important topics covered during the Forum included development, digitalization, logistics, tourism, construction, medicine, and the creative economy, all popular among pre-forum survey respondents.

The highlight of the Forum was the plenary session ‘Russia and Thailand. Investing in a Common Future’, as part of which business leaders and officials discussed bilateral cooperation against a backdrop of growing trade. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov addressed Forum participants and spoke of bilateral relations based on long-standing, mutually beneficial cooperation.

According to statistics for 2025, trade between Russia and Thailand continued to grow, rising to USD 328.9 million in January–February 2025, an increase of 10.6% over the same period in 2024. Russian exports reached USD 139.7 million (+7.7%), with imports from Thailand at USD 189.2 million.

Chairman of the Russian-Thai Business Council and CEO of Novostal-M Ivan Demchenko spoke of the growth in cooperation between the countries.

“Russia cannot be cut off from the global economy. Thailand has not imposed sanctions and remains Russia’s most reliable partner in the region. We see opportunities in construction, trade, and the creation of joint business infrastructure, such as banks, investment platforms, and logistics routes. Leasing, especially aircraft leasing, is particularly promising,’ Ivan Demchenko said.

Thailand is actively developing as an industrial hub for automotive, electronics, chemicals, and logistics, all making it an attractive destination for investors. The great potential in the country for foreign factories, industrial facilities, logistics sites, and IT infrastructure also came up during the Forum.

“Thailand is one of the most important, fastest developing economies in Southeast Asia. As the growth of digital infrastructure in the country picks up pace, so does the construction of modern data centers. Rosatom is ready to provide a reliable source of energy through large nuclear power plants and small land-based and floating modular reactors,” Rosatom Regional Director for Business Development in Thailand, Laos and Myanmar Ilya Bychkov said.

Additional incentive for investment is provided by the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI), which gives investors the opportunity to purchase land in the event a project is approved, greatly simplifying the steps needed to start local production. As a result, investors from Russia and other countries have already begun to consider projects in this sector, as well as IT, biotechnology, logistics, and development.

One Russian company already in Thailand is the Biomicrogels Group, which has leased a factory in Laem Chabang Port, where it intends to produce biopolymer-based reagents for water purification. Production is expected to get underway in April 2025. Another is Amarant Agro, which is considering leasing a site to produce snacks, oil, feed, and bioactive supplements in Thailand.

Experts have noted an increase in Russian businesses preparing to enter the market with well-developed legal structures, financial models, and strategies tailored to Thai regulations and the local business culture. Such companies are expected to build sustainable businesses to compete in the Asian market, and an exhibition space at the Forum dedicated to the best business practices from Russia and Thailand brought together Russia and Thailand’s largest development and investment companies. Forum participants also had access to Russian Export Center Made in Russia, Roscongress International, and Innovation Space B2B zones.

“The Russian Export Center has created the Made in Russia programme to promote Russian products, and we see significant potential for cooperation to increase across a wide range of industries. We can already observe a significant increase in exports of agricultural and fast-moving consumer goods to Thailand. Another promising area of mutual interest is high technology, particularly smart cities. At the same time, traditional industries are growing too. The tourism boom, for example, has led to an increase in demand for Russian construction materials. And Russians are already investing in Thailand and acquiring real estate, though for sustainable development, we need to shift the focus to investment in manufacturing,” Senior Vice President of the Russian Export Center Nikita Gusakov said during the plenary session ‘Russia and Thailand. Investing in a Shared Future’.

A common theme during the official speeches delivered at the Forum was a commitment to further developing the existing partnership. The need for Russian and Thai banks to create joint financial, logistics, and business platforms to simplify payments and reduce dependence on restrictions was also noted.

“The potential for cooperation between Russia and Thailand extends far beyond traditional sectors. Education and the creative industries are particularly important, and a number of agreements were signed this year between universities and organizations working in the creative industries in the two countries. Long-term cooperation and understanding finds a strong foundation in these areas. Medicine, logistics, energy, construction, real estate, and innovation also hold a lot of promise,” Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev said.

As part of the business programme, the Russian-Thai Business Council signed key memoranda of cooperation with the Thai-Russian Business Council and the Digital Council of Thailand. More meetings, negotiations, and detailed project development have been planned to continue in the wake of the Forum. In the end, RTIF 2025 in Phuket has proven more than a simple platform for dialogue, growing into a starting point for the implementation of real projects.

Russian companies choosing to take advantage of BOI incentives, well-developed infrastructure, and Thailand’s favourable geographic location will find cooperation reaching fundamentally new heights and resulting in sustainable export growth, more joint ventures, and a stronger Russian economic presence in Southeast Asia.

“We had originally assessed the investment potential of joint projects at approximately one billion dollars. This Forum, however, has shown the actual scale to be significantly higher, roughly three billion dollars. We also expect trade to grow next year, and though we can’t say yet by exactly how much, the increase we are hoping for is significant,” Ivan Demchenko said in conclusion.

Recap of the Saudi-Russian Investment and Business Forum in Riyadh

The Saudi-Russian Investment and Business Forum, a key platform for strengthening the strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, took place in Riyadh on 1 December 2025 as part of the 9th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Saudi-Russian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation.

The Forum was attended by representatives of government agencies, development institutions, major businesses, and the expert community of both countries.

The co-organizers of the Forum on the Russian side were the Roscongress Foundation, the Saudi-Russian Business Council, and the Russian-Arab Business Council with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

Saudi Minister of Energy, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, delivered a welcoming address at the opening ceremony. He highlighted the high level of cooperation with Russia, emphasized the importance of trust and productive dialogue between the two countries, and expressed confidence in the further development of joint energy projects.

Addressing the participants, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak underscored the significance of bilateral dialogue and invited the Saudi side to take part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in 2026, where the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be the guest country: “The Forum brought together more than 500 participants and demonstrated the strong interest of businesses from both countries in developing trade and economic relations. Russia and Saudi Arabia see enormous potential in expanding cooperation, and the conditions being created – from direct air travel to the reduction of administrative barriers – ensure further growth of joint projects. Several agreements were signed during the Forum aimed at strengthening communication and enhancing cooperation, including an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements.”

The following documents were signed during the official part of the Forum: an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual abolition of visa requirements for holders of all types of passports, a memorandum of understanding on climate change and low-carbon development, and a memorandum of cooperation on archival affairs. These agreements create new opportunities for business, cultural, and humanitarian collaboration, and also provide an additional impetus for the implementation of joint projects in various sectors of the economy.

Following the signing ceremony, Roscongress Foundation Chairman of the Board and CEO Alexander Stuglev took Saudi Minister of Energy Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak on a tour of the exhibition. He presented some of the latest developments of Russian high-tech companies, including hybrid logistics and electromobility solutions from HYPER (Rusnano Group), interactive equipment from NexTouch, vacuum and plasma equipment technologies from Ferry Watt, engineering solutions from Reinholz, systems from Ecotermix, cybersecurity developments from Securit, unmanned aerial systems and cubesats from Geoscan, innovative solutions from Aerolife, modular construction technologies from the LSTK Frame Factory, and the RealPay fintech platform. AFK Sistema, Sberbank, and the Russian-Arab Business Council also took part in the exhibition.

The Forum business programme focused on such key areas of Saudi-Russian cooperation as investment, energy, industry, mining, infrastructure, construction, agriculture, food security, and digital technologies. The two sides paid special attention to practical opportunities for implementing joint initiatives.

Yulia Zubarik, CEO of the architectural and urban planning company Master’s Plan and adviser to the Expert and Analytical Department of the Roscongress Foundation, gave a presentation during the session ‘Saudi-Russian Opportunities in Urban Development’. She emphasized that the Roscongress Urban Hub, which is part of the SPIEF each year, will be a key platform for further cooperation between the professional communities of the two countries.

A SPIEF satellite session titled ‘How Technologies Are Changing Urban Infrastructure’, which was organized jointly with the Saudi-Russian Business Council and moderated by Sberbank Managing Director for Business Development in the Middle East and North Africa Nikolay Vukolov, also took place at the Forum. The participants discussed modern approaches to urban development, the introduction of digital solutions, intelligent transport systems, and urban management technologies.

Stuglev also held a meeting with Saudi Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA) CEO Khaled Alkhattaf during the Forum to discuss ways to further intensify cooperation and opportunities for systemically integrating the SIPA into the SPIEF 2026 programme.

The Forum programme concluded with bilateral B2B meetings, which were attended by representatives of key businesses from both countries. The direct dialogue format helped the participants identify promising areas of cooperation and outline new projects.

The event was a key step in strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and Saudi Arabia and took place against the backdrop of preparations for a major event – the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Russia and Oman strengthen economic cooperation: results of the Business Forum in Muscat

The Russia–Oman Business Forum has concluded in Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. It became an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations and outlined a new format for cooperation between the two countries. One of the key outcomes of the Forum was the confirmation of an intention to hold the event annually, as well as its formal establishment as the foundation for creating an Intergovernmental Commission on trade, economic cooperation and investment. This mechanism is intended to ensure systematic, long-term and regular coordination between Russian and Omani government institutions and businesses, which is especially important against the backdrop of rapidly growing bilateral trade.

The Forum demonstrated a high level of trust and openness between the countries and served as a platform for practical dialogue among official and business circles. It was held as part of a business mission of Russian representatives to Muscat, timed to the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Oman. The organizers were the Roscongress International, the international platform of the Roscongress Foundation, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman, and the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speakers at the Russia–Oman Business Forum included Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin; Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman Qais Mohammed Al Yousef; Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal Abdullah Al Rawas; Head of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic Rashid Temrezov; Minister of the Government of Moscow, Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow Sergey Cheremin; Board Member and Chairman of the North Al Batinah Branch, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Said Ali Al Abri ; Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov; CEO of InvestOman Nasser Khalifa Al Kindi; member of the Oman–Russia Joint Business Council Mustafa Ali Mukhtar; Deputy Chairman of the ‘Russia – Islamic World’ Strategic Vision Group, Aide to the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan Marat Gatin; Deputy General Director, Directorate of International Transport Corridors Alexey Dyachuk; and Deputy Director for Construction and Architectural Restoration at the State Hermitage Museum Sergey Makarov and many others.

Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin noted the strategic significance of Russia–Oman cooperation, highlighting the potential for joint projects in construction, infrastructure, logistics and the development of modern urban planning solutions. “This year we marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the Sultanate of Oman. After all these years, we see that our relations, based on mutual respect, common interests and a commitment to the principles of a multipolar world, cover a wide range of areas and demonstrate good dynamics,” he said.

Ahead of the Forum, participants visited key industrial facilities in Oman, familiarized themselves with the country’s investment opportunities and attended an official reception hosted by the Moscow Government as part of Moscow Days in Oman. The programme included performances by People’s Artist of Russia Dmitry Malikov and composer Edvin Marton.

More than 350 representatives of government bodies, major companies, sectoral organizations, and expert communities from both countries took part in the Forum. The extensive agenda covered issues related to trade, logistics, energy, digital transformation, tourism, cultural cooperation and the development of women’s entrepreneurship.

“Russia and the Arab world continue to build an open, predictable and mutually beneficial dialogue. The Sultanate of Oman served as the guest country at SPIEF 2024, which not only made it possible to present its rich cultural heritage to a broad Russian audience but also laid the foundation for practical partnership. Today we see this momentum turning into real initiatives, from the launch of the annual Russia–Oman Business Forum to preparations for the creation of an Intergovernmental Commission. This is a clear signal that our relations are reaching a new, systematic level,” said Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman Qais Mohammed Al Yousef stressed the productivity of the dialogue: “The participation of numerous representatives from the official and business communities of Russia and Oman reflects the depth of our historical ties and the strength of our partnership. In recent years, bilateral trade has grown by more than 60%, and today’s forum enables us to elevate our cooperation to a new level. This is an important step toward the establishment of an Intergovernmental Commission. I would like to thank all organizing partners for their contribution to strengthening our collaboration,” he said.

Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal Abdullah Al Rawas emphasized the importance of making the forum an annual event: “The Forum has become an important platform for deepening business relations. It opens new horizons for investment, knowledge exchange, and the implementation of joint projects. Establishing an annual format will allow us to build a stable and effective dialogue between the business communities of our two countries.”

Participants discussed diversification of trade, the development of new logistics routes and the use of Oman’s strategic geographical position. Particular attention was paid to transport and logistics hubs within the North–South international corridor and to engagement with the private sector.

“Russian companies have considerable experience in implementing smart city projects, from digital transport systems to intelligent management of utilities and urban infrastructure. We are interested in sharing these solutions and adapting them together with our Omani partners, taking into account their ambitious plans for sustainable and technologically advanced urban development,” said the Minister of the Government of Moscow Sergey Cheremin .

Significant attention was given to digital transformation, the development of smart cities, technological exchange and joint work in energy, geological exploration, innovation and ESG-related areas.

During the Forum, meetings were held with representatives of the Omani business community in the fields of energy, industrial engineering, transport and logistics, food production and development. These discussions were aimed at identifying promising investment projects and strengthening the participation of Omani companies in international events organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

Participants also focused on cultural exchange, heritage preservation, tourism development, and the creative economy. A separate segment was devoted to the role of women in the economy, innovation, healthcare, and international entrepreneurship.

The Forum featured a business networking exchange as well as B2B, B2G, and G2G meetings. In an atmosphere of trust and constructive communication, participants presented their projects, exchanged experience, and identified new directions for mutual investment in logistics, industry, tourism, energy, digital technologies and related sectors.

The ceremonial closing of the Forum took place at Al Mirani Fort during a dinner hosted by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman Qais Mohammed Al Yousef. Informal communication made it possible to continue the dialogue and strengthen working ties.

The Forum became more than an event; it became a symbol of the growing mutual trust between Russia and Oman. It laid the foundation for an annual format of cooperation and strengthened the basis of the future Intergovernmental Commission, creating new opportunities for sustainable development, mutual investment, and cultural exchange.

List of speakers published for SPIEF’s off-site session as part of the Russian-Kyrgyz Economic Forum

On 14 August, the Roscongress Foundation will hold an off-site session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) as part of the 7th Russian-Kyrgyz Economic Forum. The event is timed to coincide with the official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic by Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin and the holding of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council (EIC) meeting in Cholpon-Ata.

The theme of the SPIEF off-site session is ‘The Economy of Partnership: From Localizing Production to Expanding Markets’. The discussion will bring together business leaders and experts from Russia and Kyrgyzstan to work out specific mechanisms for developing economic cooperation.

Alexey Valkov, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the SPIEF, outlined the key message of the upcoming discussion: “Congress and exhibition events are a key tool for developing cooperation, presenting opportunities and establishing business contacts. Over the course of several days, participants can present their companies, find partners, discuss plans and sign agreements, all in one place. As an organizer of leading international platforms, the Roscongress Foundation is ready to provide comprehensive support to the business communities of both countries in strengthening trade and economic ties. We invite our Kyrgyz partners to actively use the potential of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will be held on 3–6 June 2026.”

The speakers include Alexey Valkov, Deputy CEO of Roscongress Foundation and Director of the SPIEF; Roman Chekushev, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; Iskender Asylkulov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic; Yaroslav Mandron, Deputy Chairman of the EDB Management Board; Temir Sariyev, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic; Alexey Ivanov, CEO of KION online cinema; Vasily Tsyganov, Director General of KAMAZ Foreign Trade Company; and Manasbek Samidinov, Chairman of the Board of Kyrgyzstan Airports. The session will be moderated by Dmitry Mednikov, Managing Director of Russian Media Group.

The participants will discuss practical mechanisms for developing economic partnerships. Key topics for discussion include ways to localize production and expand sales markets, overcome barriers to cooperation, ensure the competitiveness of joint products, as well as the role of convention and exhibition activities and development institutions in supporting joint projects. The session will also look at the results of SPIEF 2025 and key initiatives of the Roscongress Foundation.

The Russian-Kyrgyz Economic Forum is organized by the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF) with the support of the Roscongress Foundation under the international brand Roscongress International.

Results of the Russia–Brazil Business Forum announced

The Russia–Brazil Business Forum took place in Rio de Janeiro as part of the events of the 17th BRICS Summit. The event brought together representatives from the business and industrial sectors, relevant ministries, diplomats, and entrepreneurs. The main goal of the Forum was to engage in dialogue to deepen Russian-Brazilian relations. It was organized by the Russia–Brazil Business Council and the Roscongress Foundation under the Roscongress International brand. The Forum continued the business dialogue initiated at the Russia–Brazil event held on 18 June at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

“The Russia–Brazil Business Forum clearly demonstrated the strengthening of our countries’ strategic partnership. The agreements reached and the record-high levels of cooperation in mineral fertilizer supplies, with exports growing by 20 percent to 11.5 million tonnes, confirm the correctness of our chosen path in developing trade and economic ties. The results of the Forum showed that such a platform is in high demand among the business communities of both countries. It allows for direct contacts, access to information on business and investment opportunities, and exchange of opinions and experiences in building business processes. I am confident that this event gave momentum to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas, from agriculture to high technology,” Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov.

The Forum’s programme featured panel sessions including Russia and Brazil’s Partnership in Ensuring Food Security; Investment Cooperation between Russia and Brazil: Reliable Solutions for a Sustainable Future; and Presentation of Potential Initiatives, Projects, and Solutions Aimed at Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation between Russia and Brazil. B2B and B2G meetings were also held between representatives of large and medium-sized businesses, as well as heads of public and governmental bodies from both countries. Forum participants were introduced to the Roscongress Foundation’s ecosystem and presented with its key platforms and competencies.

Participants included the President of the Russia–Brazil Business Council and President of the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association, Pavel Cardoso; Chair of the Russia–Brazil Business Council and President of the Russian Fertilizer Producers Association, Andrey Guryev; President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sergey Katyrin; CEO of Expocentre, Maksim Fateev; CEO of Minerva Foods, Fernando Galletti de Queiroz; Secretary for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Laudemar Gonçalves de Aguiar Neto; President of the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FIRJAN), Luiz Césio Caetano; Secretary General of Brazil’s National Tourism Confederation (CNTur), Nei Feniar; President of the CeasaMinas food distribution centre in Minas Gerais, Henrique Silva, and others.

Russia’s Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Chair of the Russian side of the Russia-Brazil Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, Vladimir Ilichev, noted that Russian-Brazilian relations are developing across a wide range of areas, including political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian.

“Brazil is undoubtedly a strategic foreign economic partner for Russia, not only in Latin America but globally. Since 2010, it has firmly remained Russia’s top trading partner in the region, accounting for 57 percent of Russia’s trade turnover with Latin America. Russia is currently interested not only in increasing trade volumes but also in strengthening the stability of our trade and economic ties by implementing long-term bilateral cooperation projects that involve modern scientific and technological solutions and innovation, as well as generating reciprocal investment flows,” Vladimir Ilichev.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Brazil, Alexey Labetsky, emphasized that relations between the business communities of the two countries form a solid foundation for the strategic partnership.

“A clear sign of the high level of our cooperation was the visit of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Moscow this May, during which he met with President Vladimir Putin. We will continue working together with our Brazilian friends to find new areas and opportunities for cooperation,” he added.

Secretary for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Laudemar Gonçalves de Aguiar Neto, stressed the importance of further strengthening Russia–Brazil ties.

“Despite the complex geopolitical environment and various challenges, our relations continue to develop positively thanks to the will of our governments and entrepreneurs in both countries. Russia will remain an important trading partner for Brazil. Our companies are eager to cooperate with Russia in fields such as biotechnology, energy, agriculture, and more. But for this potential to become reality, we need to take concrete steps, including within the BRICS framework, to expand and diversify our bilateral trade, mutual investments, and cooperation in the field of innovation,” he said.

Andrey Guryev, Chair of the Russia–Brazil Business Council and President of the Russian Fertilizer Producers Association, noted that the range of areas for cooperation between the two countries is expanding rapidly, with strong potential for joint projects in ecology, scientific and technical collaboration, energy, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, investment, and the banking sector.

“There is strong interest among Russian and Brazilian businesses in the IT sector, joint scientific research, innovation projects, the implementation of new payment solutions, cooperation on ESG practices and contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals, and expanding collaboration within BRICS and the G20,” added Andrey Guryev during one of the business programme sessions.

The Russia–Brazil Business Forum served as a platform for discussing, identifying, and promoting initiatives and projects aimed at strengthening cooperation between Russia and Brazil. More information about the event is available on the Roscongress Foundation website.

Recap of Roscongress International Cooperation Area at SPIEF 2025

The Roscongress International Cooperation Area was held for the first time at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and brought together representatives of the government, business circles, expert communities in Russia and abroad, international organizations, and integration associations in a single place to engage one another in dialogue.

“This Roscongress International Cooperation Area was a logical evolution of the Foundation’s international activities and a response to the growing demand for multilateral dialogue, especially in the context of the new architecture that is currently being created for global interaction. We expect this new area to become a permanent part of SPIEF and to expand to other international events in the future,” Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev said.

The opening ceremony of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area was attended by Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa Paul Mashatile, Assistant Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia Ibrahim Al-Mubarak, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tatyana Dovgalenko, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC) Nazir Razak, and Chairman of the Russia–Belarus Bilateral Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Didit Ratam.

“Congratulations to the Roscongress Foundation team on the launch of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area. We already discussed how important it is to establish personal connections, meet new people, and communicate in person. The Roscongress International Cooperation Area will become a true window for such interactions. Together with the Foundation under the Roscongress International brand, we co-hosted a joint forum in Jakarta this year. Now KADIN is represented in the Roscongress International Cooperation Area, and at the same time, the Russia – Indonesia Business Dialogue is taking place here at SPIEF with high-level speakers from both countries. I am confident that in the future, we will continue to build on the results of our joint work,” Chairman of the Russia–Belarus Bilateral Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Didit Ratam said during the opening ceremony of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area.

The Roscongress International Cooperation Area combined the stands of Roscongress Foundation’s partners with meeting rooms and a multifunctional hall for presentations, discussions, and the signing of cooperation agreements. Partners of this new thematic and communication area were South Africa, who had a national stand, the investment brand of the Ministry of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia INVEST SAUDI, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC), the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, Promselhozbank, and the Association Conoscere Eurasia.

Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC) Nazir Razak expressed gratitude to the Roscongress Foundation and highlighted the particular importance of the platform for international business networking among ASEAN countries. “We are eager to enhance long term cooperation with Russia in many areas, including technology, energy, agriculture and education. The Roscongress International Platform will facilitate deeper engagement with ASEAN countries and help identify specific opportunities for collaboration,” he said.

The Area also partnered with the TV BRICS International Media Network, which organized a joint studio for TV BRICS, Roscongress International Platform, and SPIEF at the venue, who produced a series of video commentaries on international cooperation and business collaboration to be distributed abroad in six languages.

During the Forum, the Roscongress International Cooperation Area hosted 12 themed events that included investment presentations, themed discussions, and expert lectures, among others. Presentations were given by Chinese companies from Shaanxi Province, the Burkinabe Investment Agency (ABI), Promselhozbank, and a roadshow by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN–BAC) on the priorities of Malaysia, holding the ASEAN Chairmanship this year. The current condition and long-term outlook for international business, investment, economic, cultural, technological, and media cooperation were discussed as well. The venue hosted a tasting of South African wines and a ceremony presenting commemorative medals and certificates from the Russian President for the International Meeting of Young Central Bank Employees held as part of the World Festival of Youth.

A discussion was held on SPIEF Youth Day about the legacy of the World Festival of Youth and the achievements of the community of young central bank employees, who hail from different countries, and a TED-style Talk was held for SPIEF Academy and Point Junior participants with Roscongress Foundation’s Indian partner, President of the Indian Chamber of International Business (ICIB) Manpreet Singh Nagi.

Also contributing to the Roscongress International Cooperation Area’s exciting programme were the Latin American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (CCLAR), the IberAtlantic Global Corporation, the Russian-Chinese Committee for Friendship, Peace, and Development, the Leningrad Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Russia – South Africa Business Council, the Russia–ASEAN Business Council, the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the TV BRICS International Media Network, the Youth Council of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (Bank of Russia), and the many experts, government officials, public figures, and representatives of Russian and international business circles who spoke at the venue.

A significant achievement of the Roscongress International Cooperation Area was the signing of 21 cooperation agreements between the Roscongress Foundation and business associations, chambers of commerce, business structures and alliances, educational institutions, public organizations in Russia and abroad, and their associations, and Russian regions.

The new thematic and communication area was developed by Roscongress International Platform. Since day one, the Roscongress Foundation has been establishing contact with partners across the globe. Over the years, it has built close business ties with more than 200 industrial and entrepreneurial associations and financial, trade, and business associations from over 80 countries.

In 2024, Roscongress under Roscongress International brand held forums in Malaysia and visiting sessions in Turkey and Thailand. In 2025, business forums were held in Mexico and Indonesia, and a Russia–Qatar forum was held in Moscow. Roscongress International Platform’s calendar of events for the second half of 2025 is no less packed: preparations are currently underway for the Russian–Brazilian Business Forum and the Central Asia International Economic Forum in Dushanbe, with plans in development for a business mission to Oman and a second business forum in Malaysia.

For all the latest news about Roscongress International Platform and its plans and projects, check out the official website.