Istanbul-based mixologist and opinion leader in the Turkish hotel and restaurant industry, Aykut Uner, has become an ambassador for the Made in Russia national brand, developed by Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group). This was announced at the Made in Russia International Export Forum on October 21.
The ambassador certificate was officially awarded to the operator of the national pavilion in Türkiye, who, together with Aykut Uner, is actively promoting Russian products under the Made in Russia brand. Mr. Uner, known for his innovative ideas, consults for 12 international beverage brands and over 65 hotels, cafes, and restaurants throughout Türkiye. In his work, the new ambassador actively collaborates with Turkish distributors and wholesalers, ensuring the availability of Russian products in the HoReCa sector throughout the country.
"Engaging such authoritative figures as Aykut Uner in promoting the Made in Russia brand is part of our strategic work to foster a positive image of domestic products abroad. His expertise and knowledge in the Turkish HoReCa segment allow us not only to effectively communicate the quality and diversity of Russian products but also to open new, innovative distribution channels. The success of the tasting events and the contracts already signed demonstrate the enormous potential of this collaboration and confirm the demand for our products in such important markets as Türkiye,” Alexey Solodov, Vice President of Russian Export Center.
Collaboration with Aykut Uner has already brought results. In April 2025, he participated in an event organized by the operator of the national pavilion in Alanya. The event brought together over 185 key representatives of the Turkish HoReCa sector, including hotel owners, Food & Beverage managers, purchasing specialists, restaurateurs, and distributors. Guests were proposed signature cocktails prepared using over 100 food and beverage items from 15 Russian manufacturers. The new flavor combinations and unusual products generated strong interest and received excellent ratings. This successful tasting resulted in contracts with Turkish distributors within the first week of the event.
On October 11, another tasting event took place in Antalya, featuring leading HoReCa players. Two masterclasses, Russian Products in Turkish Cuisine, are planned for the end of October, which Aykut Uner will conduct in various cities across Türkiye.
Russian Export Center continues to actively expand the network of Russian national pavilions and support Russian exporters in promoting and selling Russian food, industrial products, and services abroad. Pavilions' primary goal is to facilitate the promotion of Russian exporters' products and create conditions for effective interaction with potential consumers and the business community abroad.
The Made in Russia program, coordinated by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade as part of the International Cooperation and Export national project and managed by Russian Export Center, offers free and voluntary certification for manufacturers of non-commodity goods and services. The certificate confirms product compliance with five key criteria quality, reliability, uniqueness, environmental friendliness, and organic origin. It can be obtained by submitting an online application on the REC website.
The Ambassador Certificate was officially granted to the operator of the national agricultural pavilion in Türkiye, which, together with Aykut Uner, is actively promoting Russian products under the Made in Russia brand.
Made in Russia International Export Forum is a key event of the year for Russian exporters. The Forum is organized by Russian Export Center. The Moscow Government is the business program partner. TASS is the general information partner. RIA Novosti is the exclusive information partner. Information partners include Channel One, Rossiya24, MAER Media, Vedomosti, Expert, Gazprom Media, and Insight People. Roscongress Foundation is the operator of the Forum's business program.
Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group) is a government institution that supports non-resource, non-energy export. It provides companies from various industries with both financial and non-financial support at all stages of entering international markets, including as part of the International Cooperation and Export national project. Most services offered by the REC Group are available online on My Export digital platform.
The ambassador certificate was officially awarded to the operator of the national pavilion in Türkiye, who, together with Aykut Uner, is actively promoting Russian products under the Made in Russia brand. Mr. Uner, known for his innovative ideas, consults for 12 international beverage brands and over 65 hotels, cafes, and restaurants throughout Türkiye. In his work, the new ambassador actively collaborates with Turkish distributors and wholesalers, ensuring the availability of Russian products in the HoReCa sector throughout the country.
"Engaging such authoritative figures as Aykut Uner in promoting the Made in Russia brand is part of our strategic work to foster a positive image of domestic products abroad. His expertise and knowledge in the Turkish HoReCa segment allow us not only to effectively communicate the quality and diversity of Russian products but also to open new, innovative distribution channels. The success of the tasting events and the contracts already signed demonstrate the enormous potential of this collaboration and confirm the demand for our products in such important markets as Türkiye,” Alexey Solodov, Vice President of Russian Export Center.
Collaboration with Aykut Uner has already brought results. In April 2025, he participated in an event organized by the operator of the national pavilion in Alanya. The event brought together over 185 key representatives of the Turkish HoReCa sector, including hotel owners, Food & Beverage managers, purchasing specialists, restaurateurs, and distributors. Guests were proposed signature cocktails prepared using over 100 food and beverage items from 15 Russian manufacturers. The new flavor combinations and unusual products generated strong interest and received excellent ratings. This successful tasting resulted in contracts with Turkish distributors within the first week of the event.
On October 11, another tasting event took place in Antalya, featuring leading HoReCa players. Two masterclasses, Russian Products in Turkish Cuisine, are planned for the end of October, which Aykut Uner will conduct in various cities across Türkiye.
Russian Export Center continues to actively expand the network of Russian national pavilions and support Russian exporters in promoting and selling Russian food, industrial products, and services abroad. Pavilions' primary goal is to facilitate the promotion of Russian exporters' products and create conditions for effective interaction with potential consumers and the business community abroad.
The Made in Russia program, coordinated by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade as part of the International Cooperation and Export national project and managed by Russian Export Center, offers free and voluntary certification for manufacturers of non-commodity goods and services. The certificate confirms product compliance with five key criteria quality, reliability, uniqueness, environmental friendliness, and organic origin. It can be obtained by submitting an online application on the REC website.
The Ambassador Certificate was officially granted to the operator of the national agricultural pavilion in Türkiye, which, together with Aykut Uner, is actively promoting Russian products under the Made in Russia brand.
Made in Russia International Export Forum is a key event of the year for Russian exporters. The Forum is organized by Russian Export Center. The Moscow Government is the business program partner. TASS is the general information partner. RIA Novosti is the exclusive information partner. Information partners include Channel One, Rossiya24, MAER Media, Vedomosti, Expert, Gazprom Media, and Insight People. Roscongress Foundation is the operator of the Forum's business program.
Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group) is a government institution that supports non-resource, non-energy export. It provides companies from various industries with both financial and non-financial support at all stages of entering international markets, including as part of the International Cooperation and Export national project. Most services offered by the REC Group are available online on My Export digital platform.