Veliky Novgorod was visited on a working visit by Russian trade representatives from five countries: Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Hungary, Poland, and Sweden. The guests were greeted at the Government level by Evgenii Bogdanov, First Deputy Governor of the Novgorod Region.
- We’re very glad to see you. For us, exporting enterprises is an important topic. Historically, our exporters have been oriented towards Europe. When the connections were interrupted, we began to cooperate more with countries in Asia and the Middle East. At the same time, our business is interested in partnering with entrepreneurs from some European countries. We would like to maintain the existing connections. “Since 2022, we’ve had a unique situation: the share of small and medium sized businesses in the region’s total export volume has exceeded 70 %, whereas previously it was 20–25 %,” says Evgenii Bogdanov.
Denis Nosachev, Minister of Investment Policy of the Novgorod Region, who was present at the meeting, in turn noted that 80% of the region’s exports are directed to countries outside the CIS. The chemical industry and timber lead in the export structure. According to Denis Nosachev, supporting export oriented enterprises is a large scale, systematic effort. Over the past four years, entrepreneurs from the Novgorod Region have participated in more than 100 international exhibitions. During this period, business missions were conducted for over 180 companies. Based on the results of such trips, contracts have been concluded. Under the national projects “Efficient and Competitive Economy” and “International Cooperation and Export,” the Ministry of Investment and the Novgorod Export Support Center offer direct financial support measures: subsidies for the first export shipment and training in the field of foreign economic activity, as well as compensation for logistics and certification costs.
The minister added that the key counterpart countries for exports in 2025 are the UAE, Hong Kong, Belarus, Turkey, and China. Along with this, the region is cooperating well with Azerbaijan; there are isolated shipments to Vietnam and Poland. Exports to Hungary and Sweden have been suspended. At the same time, organizations with capital from Azerbaijan, Hungary, Poland, and Sweden have been registered in the Novgorod Region.
- Azerbaijan is a strategic partner for Russia today. A free trade agreement has been signed with the Republic. I am pleasantly surprised that the Novgorod Region has established close relations with Azerbaijan in key sectors: mechanical engineering, fertilizers, and wood processing. I believe that the region’s relations with the Republic need to be developed, especially since Azerbaijan is a major transport and logistics hub for Russia, says Adam Khakimov, Russia’s trade representative in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
During the visit, the sales representatives visited the carpentry workshop “Zanoza” (manufacturing designer furniture from solid oak) and the “T ARM” enterprise (development, production and supply of pipeline valves), and also met with representatives of 18 Novgorod companies at the “My Business” center. In the format of the “Business Contacts Exchange,” entrepreneurs presented their products and had the opportunity to communicate with sales representatives regarding export supplies.
- Live communication is very important. We need to tell regional businesses about the opportunities to enter foreign markets, their features, limitations and barriers, as well as our experience working with other exporters," Sergei Bezrukov, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Hungary, is convinced. We would like to add that the visit of trade representatives to the Novgorod region took place at the initiative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia. It was organized by Mininvest together with the Novgorod Export Support Center, with the assistance of the Development Agency, the “My Business” Center, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Natural Resources, Forestry, and Ecology.
06 июля 2026 12:05:00
