On February 11, the Russian-Mongolian Economic Forum was held at the Congress Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, with the support of the Roscongress Foundation.The forum was part of a Mongolian delegation's visit to Russia, led by Nyam-Osoryn Uchral, ​​Chairman of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, at the invitation of Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.Opening the forum, Sergey Katyrin, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the steady growth of business activity between Russia and Mongolia and the importance of direct dialogue between the business communities."We see great potential for Russian-Mongolian cooperation and are ready to continue to create conditions for expanding business contacts. Over the past two years, Russian regional chambers of commerce and industry have held more than 60 various business events related to Mongolia. Overall, Mongolian businesses are currently active in 22 regions of our country, from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka. "Almost all federal districts are represented in our joint initiatives," he noted.The head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry drew attention to the development of a multilateral format – the Joint Trade and Economic Forum of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Russia, Mongolia, and China, which in recent years has been held successively in Ulaanbaatar, Baotou (Inner Mongolia, China), and Irkutsk."Each time, dozens of companies from the Russian and Mongolian sides participated in the meetings within these forums. We intend to continue this work, perhaps in a slightly different format, which we are currently discussing with our colleagues," noted Sergey Katyrin.He named the first Forum of Regions of Russia and Mongolia, held on December 1-2 last year in the Irkutsk Region, as an important element of the practical agenda. The Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a contact exchange for entrepreneurs from both countries and a joint extended meeting of the national business councils for cooperation. The head of the Chamber emphasized that it is during such meetings that initiatives are formed to improve the regulatory framework, remove barriers, and launch new joint projects, including the development and reconstruction of transport routes linking Russia, Mongolia, and China."Today, a plan was approved for the construction of a new branch of the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which will undoubtedly enrich our ties and enable the development of many related industries within the three countries – Russia, China, and Mongolia," said Sergey Katyrin.He cited the upcoming liberalization of trade between the Eurasian Economic Union and Mongolia, as well as the development of exhibition cooperation, as factors that could provide additional impetus to cooperation.Sergey Katyrin invited Mongolian business circles to participate in key international events, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok.State Duma Deputy Chairman Alexey Gordeyev noted in his speech that the second meeting of the interparliamentary commission had taken place the previous day, with the participation of 18 deputies of the State Great Khural and representatives of the Mongolian government. According to Alexey Gordeyev, synchronizing the work of the legislative and executive branches of the two countries strengthens the practical focus of decisions.He also emphasized the importance of the interim free trade agreement between Mongolia and the EAEU, which, he said, must be filled with concrete economic content:"Our task is to ensure that this document is implemented so that we see more Mongolian goods on the Russian market. Today, there is a noticeable imbalance in mutual trade, and it must be jointly addressed," he emphasized.Vladimir Padalko, Vice President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, moderated the business program. The discussion was attended by Andrey Slepnev, Member of the Board (Minister) for Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Sodnomdarjaagiin Davaasuren, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Mongolia, Pavel Kalmychek, Director of the Department for Bilateral Cooperation Development of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, and Bulgany Saruul, Secretary General of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mongolia.The forum's results were summarized by Baatarjav Lkhagvajav, President of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mongolia.A separate practical section of the forum included a networking session for Russian and Mongolian entrepreneurs.The B2B format allowed companies from the two countries to meet directly, discuss supply terms, opportunities for localizing production, joint investment projects, and entering new markets. Representatives from the agro-industrial complex, textile and light industries, export-oriented enterprises, and development institutions participated in the negotiations.                                                       By Nail Shakhvaliev,                                                      Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

On February 9, the 33rd international exhibition of food, beverages, and raw materials for their production, Prodexpo-2026, opened at the Crocus Expo IEC. Organized by Expocentre JSC, it is supported by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture and the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.This year, more than 2,000 companies are participating in Prodexpo-2026, nearly 1,500 of which are Russian.Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, spoke at the exhibition's opening ceremony and announced that its exhibition space has increased by 20% this year."Today, the venue features collective exhibits from 48 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which is 9 regions more than last year," he said. The head of the Chamber noted that it is gratifying to see a large number of international exhibitors as well. "Russia is currently participating in the global agenda of providing food for the planet's population, and this is noticeable not only in Asia and South America, but also in other regions of the world, including African countries," noted Sergey Katyrin.According to him, products from domestic producers are distinguished by a high level of quality, especially in primary production. Regarding grain crops, they do not contain genetically modified components. "We have effectively switched to providing for our own production through domestic breeding and seeds," concluded the head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.Expocentre CEO Maxim Fateev noted that companies from 37 countries participated in the exhibition this year. In 2026, the exhibition will be organized according to the salon principle on the usual scale, covering all popular topics: from basic food and beverages to delicacies, halal, organic, sports, functional, baby food, healthy lifestyles, exotic products, ingredients, as well as alcohol, tobacco, equipment, glass containers, packaging, and packaging solutions. Unlike last year, the program returned to the equipment, packaging, and ingredients sections.In 2026, significant growth was demonstrated by the following sections: "Meat and Meat Products" (+40%), "Dairy Products. Cheeses" (+12%), "Frozen Foods. Semi-Finished Products" (+20%), "Grocery. Grain Products. Pasta. Seasonings and Spices" (+14%), and "Confectionery. Snacks. Nuts and Dried Fruits" (+16%).Elena Dybova, Vice President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, spoke at the plenary session at Prodexpo 2026, organized by Roskachestvo and Expocentre. The discussion focused on the development of the food market.                                                           By Nail Shakhvaliev,                                                           Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

On February 3, Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, held a working meeting with Lee Sok-bae, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Russia, who has once again assumed the post of Ambassador to the Russian Federation. He previously headed the RoK Embassy from 2019 to 2022. The diplomat is a recognized expert on Russia and has worked in the post-Soviet space for most of his nearly 30-year career. "We were very pleased that you have returned to our country as Ambassador," said Sergey Katyrin, beginning his meeting with Lee Sok-bae. In his welcoming remarks, Sergey Katyrin noted that, despite sanctions pressure, Korean automobile companies remain in Russia. He added that, like the rest of the country, we strive to maintain relationships with everyone who wants to work with us. "Despite the current unfavorable political situation in bilateral relations, it is important to maintain interaction between the business communities of our countries, especially at the regional level," said Sergey Katyrin. "We need to think together about how to breathe new life into our cooperation," the head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized. Previously, the Republic of Korea and Korean organizations such as the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry were among the most active foreign partners of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry briefed the head of the Republic of Korea's diplomatic mission in detail about the Chamber's foreign economic activities in various areas, including Europe and the United States. Specifically, he noted the significant representation of foreign countries at the PRODEXPO-2026 exhibition opening next week. "We welcome the participation of our foreign partners, most of whom continue to participate in exhibitions," noted Sergey Katyrin. Lee Sok-bae stated that, over the past four years, mutual trade has declined significantly due to the geopolitical situation. However, many Korean companies continue to work closely with Russian counterparts and maintain their presence in the Russian market. Speaking about the upcoming participation of South Korean companies in the PRODEXPO-2026 exhibition, Lee Sok-bae noted that about 20 companies from the Republic of Korea will arrive in Moscow to participate. Other issues related to Korean companies in Russia were also discussed. The Ambassador suggested exploring direct dialogue between representatives of the business communities of both countries in preparation for an improvement in the geopolitical situation, and the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed support for it. The meeting was attended by Vice-President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Padalko.                                                          By Peter Cheremushkin,                                                          Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

On January 22, the first working meeting between Dmitry Antonov, Chairman of the Business Council for Cooperation with Afghanistan and Senior Vice President of GAP Resource, and Hassan Gull Hassan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, took place at the Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Moscow. Alexander Shkirando, the Chamber's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of the Media Relations Center, participated in the meeting on behalf of the Chamber.The Ambassador arrived in Moscow and was appointed to his post in July 2025. On January 15, 2026, a ceremony was held in the Kremlin to present his credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, current issues and prospects for developing bilateral trade, economic, cultural, and social cooperation were discussed. The parties exchanged views on the current situation and discussed expanding mutual trade, logistics and the development of transport corridors, practical aspects of cooperation between the countries, and the resumption of cultural exchange.For his part, the ambassador confirmed the Afghan side's interest in developing economic and cultural ties with Russia and expressed the embassy's readiness to provide the necessary assistance in resolving administrative and organizational issues. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue regular working interaction and prepare joint business events in the near future.Earlier, on January 20, 2026, Dmitry Antonov, Senior Vice President of the Resource Group, held talks via videoconference with the newly appointed President of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, Sayed Karim Hashimi. Alexander Shkirando and Nikolai Sazhenov, Head of the Trade and Economic Section of the Russian Embassy in Afghanistan, also participated in the discussion from the Russian side.During the talks, the parties discussed the current state of trade and economic relations and outlined a joint action plan for 2026. Particular attention was paid to mutual trade in the agricultural and mineral sectors, logistics, and the need to engage businesses from both countries in systematic efforts to develop bilateral cooperation. A preliminary agreement was reached to develop a roadmap and identify pilot projects of mutual commercial interest.                                                          By Nikita Sidorov,                                                          Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

On December 25, a meeting of the Russian-Syrian Business Council, titled "Prospects for Restoring Trade and Economic Cooperation with Syria," was held at the Library of Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In his opening remarks, Vladimir Padalko, Vice-President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, identified the primary objective as reviving bilateral business cooperation with the Syrian Arab Republic. "We would like to revive our relations," he said. Vladimir Padalko recalled that in recent years, twenty-one large-scale humanitarian campaigns have been carried out in Syria under the motto "With Love from Russia," covering ten provinces of the country. He reported that 30,000 families received assistance. Nevertheless, he noted, the change of power in Syria has led to many agreements no longer being effective. Some are afraid to go to Syria, and it is not always clear with whom to do business or how to organize a system of mutual settlements. He emphasized that government assistance would be needed for businesses to return to Syria. "We are concerned about the freezing of relations and the non-return of foreign currency," noted the Vice President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "We are ready to engage in dialogue with the authorities, but we don't yet know how to do this or whether the previously signed agreements will be honored," he said.Vladimir Padalko proposed creating a large medical center in Syria, whose activities could be expanded throughout the country. He noted the importance of establishing permanent shipping and air links with Syria and emphasized the need for Russia to participate in industrial exhibitions. Vladimir Padalko named logistics, energy, agriculture, medicine, and charity as priority sectors. He particularly emphasized the need to transition trade to settlements in national currencies, which would significantly facilitate the lives of entrepreneurs.Abdulrazak Ismail, Chargé d'Affaires of the Syrian Arab Republic in the Russian Federation, who spoke at the meeting, noted the high level of political contacts between Russia and Syria that have developed recently.Timur Pechatkin, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted that efforts are being made to establish dialogue and that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani recently visited Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He assessed that political dialogue between the two countries has been restored and that the government will provide assistance in establishing contacts between business circles.Olga Trofimova, Deputy Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Department for Bilateral Cooperation Development at the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, emphasized that contacts with the Syrian side have become ongoing.The keynote address was delivered by Louay Youssef, Chairman of the Russian-Syrian Business Council, who outlined the results of business activity and the RSBC's activities.Vladimir Padalko invited the numerous Syrian participants (almost all of whom spoke Russian) to introduce themselves. Many of them discussed the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and offered suggestions on how to improve cooperation in various sectors, from banking to agricultural exports.Vice-President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Padalko proposed holding a separate conference at the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Syrian business community in Russia in the first half of next year. He believes this will help renew relations across sectors from construction to logistics. He also noted that an inventory of the business council's membership base should be conducted. The Chamber's Vice-President proposed holding a business mission to Syria in the second half of the year, tying it in with a construction exhibition taking place in that country.                                                                                            By Peter Cheremushkin,                                                           Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation Wishing You Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2026! 

On December 16, Vladimir Padalko, Vice-President of The Chamber, spoke at the plenary session of the XVI Russia-India Business Dialogue, held at the press center of MIA Rossiya Segodnya. The event was organized by the Business Council for Cooperation with India, the Indian Business Alliance, the Government of Moscow, and Roscongress. The plenary session was dedicated to strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Russia in the context of a changing world order. Speakers addressed such aspects as resolving trade issues and seeking new opportunities; logistics and financial sustainability; industrial cooperation and import substitution; partnership in energy, technology, and innovation; and regional interaction. Vladimir Padalko, agreeing with the thesis about the enormous untapped potential of bilateral business cooperation, emphasized that the Russian business community faces essentially a threefold task in the Indian direction: significantly increasing knowledge about the specifics of working with India, strengthening and consolidating the interregional business agenda, and helping to eliminate the imbalance in mutual trade. The latter circumstance, in his opinion, acts as a certain constraining factor for intensifying the work of Indian businesses in Russia. The Vice-President of The Chamber reminded that effective communication with Indian partners requires patience, cultural adaptation, and a focus on long-term relationships from Russian companies. With the right approach, differences in business culture become not a barrier but a source of sustainable partnership. The success of Russian business in India, V. Padalko noted, is quite possible provided there is deep localization, cultural adaptation, a long-term strategy, and active institutional support, which The Chamber, the Business Council for Cooperation with India, and the Indian Business Alliance are ready to provide. Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic and International Relations of the City of Moscow, Chairman of the Board of the Business Council for Cooperation with India, reported that in 2025, more than 50 significant events were held through the Business Council. According to him, the Moscow Government is ready to assist Indian businesses in localizing their production facilities in the city in such areas as mechanical engineering, instrument making, and electronics. Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation Mr. Vinay Kumar noted the high level of complementarity between the Russian and Indian economies, and therefore, in his opinion, the goal set by the leaders of both countries, V. Putin and N. Modi, to reach a mutual trade level of $100 billion by 2030 is more than achievable. The plenary session also featured speeches by Boris Titov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Relations with International Organizations; Vladimir Platonov, President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Taliya Minullina, Head of the Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan; Igor Muraev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Arkhangelsk Region and Secretary of the State Council Commission of the Russian Federation on International Cooperation and Export; and others. Following the plenary session of the XVI Russia-India Business Dialogue, a meeting of the Board of the Business Council for Cooperation with India was held under the chairmanship of Sergey Cheremin, in which Vladimir Padalko participated. As the Deputy Head of The Chamber noted, Russian business as a whole, unfortunately, still underestimates Indian industry in terms of quality and reliability, although the time for such judgments should be in the past. Highly appreciating the activities of the Business Council for Cooperation with India in the outgoing year of 2025, he recommended that the Council continue its work to expand activities to Russian regions. In development of this, V. Padalko put forward an initiative to hold a special event of the Business Council at The Chamber with the involvement of the leadership of territorial chambers of commerce and industry, dedicated to building interaction with Indian states. The idea was supported by the Council's leadership.   Dmitry Bystrov, Department of External Relations

On December 10, Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber, addressed the plenary session "Architecture of Long-Term Growth: New Horizons for Russia-UAE Cooperation" as part of the First Russia-UAE Business Forum in Dubai. The Forum was organized by the Russia-UAE Business Council (RUBC) jointly with the Roscongress Foundation, with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Marathon Investment Group. The event brought together heads of leading companies and investment funds from Russia and the UAE, relevant ministries from both countries, and technology startups. Sergey Katyrin informed session participants that the Chamber system in the Russian Federation includes approximately 55,000 member organizations and provides services to more than 300,000 companies annually. "The Chamber has conducted and continues to systematically conduct work aimed at strengthening and enhancing the level of trade, economic, and business cooperation between the Russian Federation and Middle Eastern countries. In this regard, we decided to open an Office of the Honorary Representative of the Chamber in Dubai, responsible for interaction with businesses in the Middle Eastern region," he said. The President of the Chamber also reported that the Russia-UAE Business Council was reformatted this year, with an updated leadership (Alexander Vinokurov, President of the Marathon Investment Group, was appointed Chairman), and the membership base was updated. Sergey Katyrin noted that in terms of foreign economic relations, Russia has long been connected with the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries through various commercial projects and long-term investment contracts. According to him, more than 4,000 companies with Russian participation are registered in the UAE, enabling them to operate both within the UAE and beyond. Russian companies are predominantly represented in the IT, development, retail, and legal services sectors. "Today's Forum is a clear signal to the UAE business community of our readiness and interest in developing mutually beneficial long-term cooperation across the entire spectrum of trade, economic, and investment relations," Katyrin added. The plenary session also featured speeches by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism; Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan; Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World; and Vitaly Sergeychuk, Member of the Management Board of VTB Bank.   Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry  

On December 9, a meeting of the American-Russian Business Dialogue took place in Dubai (UAE), during which Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber, and Robert Agee, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, discussed the state and prospects of bilateral business cooperation. The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation and the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. The presidents of the chambers, who continue to maintain regular working contacts with each other in the current difficult geopolitical conditions, noted the importance of preserving stable channels of trade and economic cooperation. Sergey Katyrin and Robert Agee noted that, despite existing problems and non-economic obstacles, the business communities of Russia and the United States proceed from the necessity of maintaining professional dialogue. In the current difficult geopolitical situation, the heads of both chambers believe it is important to focus on discussing pragmatic aspects of cooperation prospects, which will serve as a stabilizing factor and an instrument for building mutual trust at the level of business circles, industry associations, and the expert community. The parties agreed to continue coordinating their work to facilitate the formation of a more favorable environment for Russian and American businesses, reduce risks, and strengthen business ties. Following the meeting, a joint statement was adopted. Participants also agreed to hold meetings of the American-Russian Dialogue on an annual basis.   Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry  

The Russian delegation from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, led by President Sergey Katyrin, has concluded its participation in a business mission held in Havana on the sidelines of the 41st Havana International Trade Fair (FIHAV). The mission included the ceremonial opening of the Russian exhibit. Speaking at the ceremony, Sergey Katyrin emphasized the importance of exhibition events for promoting Russian products and strengthening economic ties. "Major international exhibitions and congresses, such as FIHAV, act as a significant driver of mutual trade and investment. It is essential to continue the practice of Russian exhibitors participating in FIHAV and to count on more active participation by Cuban businesses in Expocentre exhibitions," he noted. The same day saw the Russian-Cuban Business Forum take place. According to the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, despite geopolitical challenges, economic cooperation continues to develop dynamically. "By the end of the first half of 2025, trade turnover between Russia and Cuba grew by 17%, and exports by 15.4%. Further progress is certainly possible. This requires improving financial mechanisms, expanding logistics routes, creating more favorable conditions for investors, and exploiting new opportunities associated with Cuba's accession to the BRICS partner states," Sergey Katyrin stated. The Forum discussed areas for further cooperation—agro-industrial complex, pharmaceuticals and medicine, industry and energy, digital technologies, transport, and tourism. Special attention was paid to the participation of Russian companies in Cuba's industrial modernization, including the restoration of the sugar industry and projects within the Mariel Special Economic Zone. During the visit to Cuba, Sergey Katyrin met with Antonio Luis Carricarte Corona, President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce; Eloy Alvarez Martinez, Minister of Industry; and Oscar Pérez Oliva Fraga, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment. The negotiations focused on industrial cooperation, investment initiatives, logistics, and the development of direct interaction mechanisms. The business mission included representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry system of the Russian Federation, as well as companies from the agro-industrial complex, medicine, pharmaceuticals, energy, IT, and tourism sectors.   Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry  

On November 25, the multi-sector business mission of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Cuba, led by Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber, continued its work. In the morning, Sergey Katyrin met with Antonio Luis Carricarte Corona, President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce. The parties discussed the current state of business ties, the participation of Russian companies in Cuba's industrial development programs, and the expansion of direct contacts between the chambers. Negotiations followed with Eloy Alvarez Martinez, Cuban Minister of Industry, focusing on cooperation in industrial production, enterprise modernization, logistics, and joint high-tech projects. The day concluded with a meeting with Oscar Pérez Oliva Fraga, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba. The discussion focused on opportunities to engage Russian companies in Cuban investment initiatives, participation in special development zones, and enhancing the resilience of trade chains. All events were held in a constructive atmosphere and confirmed a high level of mutual interest in expanding economic partnership. The Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's business mission to Cuba included Vladimir Strashko, CEO of PJSC WTC, and Maxim Fateev, CEO of JSC Expocentre, as well as the presidents of the chambers of commerce and industry of Moscow, the Ryazan region, and the Lipetsk region. The mission is represented by companies and organizations operating in the agro-industrial complex and agriculture, medicine and pharmaceuticals, energy, information technology, tourism, and other sectors. Vladimir Padalko, Vice President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is participating in the business mission.                            By Nail Shakhvaliyev,                            Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

On November 24, the Russian exhibit at the 41st Havana International Trade Fair (FIHAV) was officially opened in Cuba. At the ceremony, Sergey Katyrin, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivered a welcoming address. He is visiting Havana as the head of a Chamber delegation participating in a multi-sector business mission.In his speech, the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized the importance of exhibition events for promoting Russian products abroad."Major international exhibitions and congresses, such as FIHAV, act as a significant driver of mutual trade and investment. In this regard, we believe it is essential to continue the practice of Russian exhibitors participating in FIHAV. We also hope for more active participation by Cuban businesses in exhibitions held by Expocentre, the flagship of our exhibition industry," he noted. The next significant event on the delegation's Cuba itinerary was the Russian-Cuban Business Forum, organized with the support of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Russia-Cuba Business Council, and the National Council of the Cuban Economic Union (NC SESLA)."Despite current geopolitical challenges, we and our Cuban colleagues continue to make fairly confident progress on a number of tracks of the current trade, economic, and investment agenda. At the same time, we understand that the potential of our cooperation is still far from being fully realized," he noted.By the end of the first half of 2025, trade turnover between Russia and Cuba had grown by 17%, and exports by 15.4%. According to Sergey Katyrin, further progress is possible with the improvement of financial mechanisms, the expansion of logistics routes, improved conditions for investors, and the exploitation of new opportunities associated with Cuba's accession to the BRICS partner states.The Forum brought together companies from both countries representing various sectors with potential for developing trade, economic, and investment potential: agro-industrial complex, pharmaceuticals and medicine, industry and energy, digital technologies, logistics and transport, and tourism.The possibility of Russian companies participating in the modernization of Cuba's industry, including the restoration of the sugar industry, as well as in projects within the Mariel Free Economic Zone, was also discussed.On the same day, the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a working meeting with Vladimir Koronelli, the Russian Ambassador to Cuba, during which they discussed current bilateral issues, focusing on problematic areas of bilateral cooperation.A working meeting was also held between the head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Governor of the Ryazan Region, Pavel Malkov. A memorandum of cooperation was signed at the Ryazan Region stand between the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cuban company Suchel Camacho.                                                      Press Service of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry,                                                                                  Department of External Relations