Secrets of Success in Retail: Southeast Asian Trading Giants to Address Russian Business at the Made in Russia Forum

How can Russian brands gain a foothold in Southeast Asia? The answers to this question will be discussed at the business dialogue "Asia in Focus. Strategies for Russian Companies' Exit," which will take place on October 21 as part of the Made in Russia International Export Forum. Participants will learn about strategies for entering the retail chains of Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Thailand.

Top managers of the region's largest retail chains, including WinMart, Masan Group, Central Food Retail (CFR), Modena Group, and others, will share their requests and expectations for the partnership.

The focus of the discussion will be on the specifics of working with Asian retailers, e-commerce trends, consumer preferences, and the specifics of product promotion. Participants will learn about the categories of Russian products that are currently most in demand in Southeast Asian countries, from food and cosmetics to textiles and household goods.

Special attention will be paid to adapting Russian brands to the needs of local customers and to tools that make it easier and more predictable to enter Asian markets. The Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group) provides significant support to companies through its foreign offices in key countries in the region, such as Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and Thailand, which help businesses find partners, participate in exhibitions, and access major retail chains.

"The rapid development of India and the countries of Southeast Asia, as well as the concomitant growth of consumer demand for high-quality goods, provide Russian manufacturers with an opportunity to gain a foothold in this strategically important region. An additional advantage is the existing duty-free trade regime with Vietnam and the completion of such a regime with Indonesia, as well as the initiation of negotiations on a free trade agreement with India. The session will serve as a platform for finding new strategies and establishing contacts that will help companies take the next step in expanding their markets in these key economies. Our goal is to help businesses navigate this process more quickly and efficiently," said Anton Tsetsinovsky, Director for International Cooperation and Development at the Russian Export Center.

The Made in Russia International Export Forum will be held on October 21 at the National Center "Russia" in Moscow. Participation is free. Registration for the forum is open until October 13 on the official website: forum.exportcenter.ru.

The Made in Russia Forum annually brings together thousands of participants from more than 80 countries, including business representatives, government agencies, and scientific and business communities. It is the main event of the year for entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses, expand their exports, and find reliable partners. In 2024, the forum was attended by approximately six thousand people, and 75 companies showcased their Made in Russia products, demonstrating the high level and diversity of Russian exports.

As a reminder, from September 1 to October 22, the Russian Export Center will organize a large-scale Made in Russia exhibition at the National Center "Russia" exhibition, where the achievements of domestic exporters will be showcased. Visitors can visit the exhibition for free after registering on the website.

The Forum is organized by the Russian Export Center. The general partners are EXIMBANK and ROSEXIMBANK. The business program is supported by the Government of Moscow.

The Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group) is a state institution that supports non-resource and non-energy exports. It provides both financial and non-financial assistance to companies from various industries at all stages of entering international markets, including through the International Cooperation and Export National Project. Most of the REC's services are available online on the My Export state digital platform.