‘Business Meeting’ – Russia creates a new format of dialogue for international business against the backdrop of the West’s sanctions policy

The opening of the Business Meeting took place in a historic mansion on Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, not far from Moscow City and Expocentre. The event brought together leading Russian entrepreneurs, representatives of government agencies, public organisations and foreign investors. It became not only a solemn celebration in honour of entrepreneurship, but also an important step towards strengthening constructive dialogue between business and the state.

‘Business Meeting’ is positioned not as an ordinary club, but as a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge, analysing current problems and finding joint solutions. Special attention is paid to supporting small and medium-sized businesses, promoting social projects and implementing regional programmes.

In the context of current economic challenges, initiatives such as the Business Meeting are of particular value. The new organisational form of business communications will not only help unite leaders of the entrepreneurial community, but will also actively support social projects, promote the development of small and medium-sized businesses, and facilitate the implementation of regional initiatives.

Russia has been able to restructure its logistics chains and export flows to reduce the impact of Western sanctions. The number of guests at the Business Meeting also showed that Moscow is still at the centre of economic ties and communications around the world, as representatives of the business community from Europe and the Middle East came to the Business Meeting.

Despite sanctions and threats of new restrictions against Russia by Western countries, Russia has become the third largest net foreign trade earner in the world. Russia was able to reorient its main export flows to friendly countries, primarily BRICS countries. Therefore, the dependence on the EU sanctions is not critical now, according to the participants of the Business Meeting.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said that despite the sanctions, Russia intends to remain open for economic cooperation with all countries of the world, moreover, it will expand interaction with countries that are interested in cooperation. Russian GDP grew by 4.3 per cent in 2024, with growth in a wide range of areas: industry, agriculture, digital technology, services and finance.

‘The Business Meeting can be seen as a preparation for the upcoming St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), setting a new standard for business meetings focused on openness and practical relevance.