Experts identified main barriers and promising export directions during a meeting at the National Centre RUSSIA
In the context of unprecedented global transformations and increasing competition, the CIS countries are becoming not just neighboring with Russia territories, but a field for strategic struggle for economic influence and sales markets. On 21 October, a session titled "Economic Impulses in the CIS. Strengthening our Competitive Position in the Context of Globalization" was held within the framework of the "Made in Russia" International Export Forum at the National Centre RUSSIA. The Russian Export Centre (REC, VEB Group), in partnership with the VTsIOM Analytical Centre, organised a discussion meant to find, together with business and experts, the effective solutions for Russian companies in the rapidly developing CIS market.
The economies of the CIS countries have been showing significant growth in recent years, especially after 2022. This momentum is reflected in a steady increase in household incomes, an improvement in living standards, and significant changes in consumption patterns. At the same time, the investment climate has been actively developing, the number of large projects and investment volumes have been growing. Over the next three years, the CIS market capacity will be approximately $15 billion.
However, as it was noted during the session, the CIS markets have become highly competitive for many Russian manufacturers. The dynamics of recent years has shown that the situation is becoming more complicated: pressure from external players, in particular, manufacturers from China and the United States, is increasing in the region, and there is also an active development of its own production facilities. So the Russian companies are standing in need of quickly adapting and finding innovative approaches.
Stanislav Georgievsky, Vice President of the REC, presented the results of the study "Key Barriers and Needs of Exporters", which made it possible to identify the main problems faced by Russian companies when entering the CIS markets.
"The REC study, which we conduct annually to adjust our and government support measures, has shown that more than half of Russian companies plan to develop in the markets of the near abroad. At the same time, our business notes a significant demand for support in finding a buyer, organizing foreign showcases and business missions, as well as building advertising support. We take this into account in our work for 2026, and see the potential for implementing joint projects with our partners in this area," Stanislav Georgievsky underscored.
According to REC data, China, the Middle East, ASEAN and South Asia remain the most promising markets for exports besides the EAEU and CIS countries.
Over the past five years, REC has been developing the "My Export" digital platform, a comprehensive digital ecosystem that fully meets the needs of exporters throughout the export cycle, from training and export analytics to transaction financing. "My Export" offers training and analytical services, as well as consultations on various aspects of export activities. The platform helps to place goods on a relevant foreign Internet site, issue permits (such as export licenses, veterinary and phytosanitary certificates, certificate of origin), find logistics specialists, apply for government support, familiarize oneself and apply for banking and insurance products. More than 2 million services have already been provided to exporters.
In turn, Mark Murashko, Managing Director of the REC Product Office, presented the results of a joint study by the VTsIOM Analytical Centre and the REC. According to him, "today, Russia is a key economic partner for the population of most CIS countries." Russia is most often mentioned as the most promising country for the development of commodity exchange by residents of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan (59% each), while in Tajikistan this figure is 46%, in Azerbaijan – 43%. At the same time, in Moldova (20%) and Georgia (15%), Russia's priority is lower, and China, Turkey, the EU and the USA are often mentioned among other important partners.
The demand for Russian goods is highest in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Armenia, and the lowest in Georgia and Moldova. This study also revealed that for residents of the CIS countries, the main product categories in which Russian manufacturers have been preferable in recent years are food, household chemicals, cosmetics, building materials and light industry goods.
The main reasons for choosing Russian goods are their high quality (from 61% in Kyrgyzstan to 73% in Tajikistan), as well as the optimal price-quality ratio, and competitive affordability.
During the discussion, the participants closely considered the measures necessary to preserve and increase the competitiveness of Russian technologies, goods and services. Strategies and mechanisms to support economic growth in the CIS countries were proposed, which are aimed at strengthening economic cooperation and consolidating Russia's leading positions in these key markets.
The International Export Forum "Made in Russia" is the main event of the year for domestic exporters. The Forum is organized by the Russian Export Centre (REC, VEB Group). The partner of the business programme is the Moscow Government. The general information partner is RIA Novosti. Information partners: TASS, Channel One, Russia24, MAER media holding, Vedomosti, Expert, Gazprom Media, Insight People. The Roscongress Foundation is the operator of the Forum's business programme.
The Russian Export Centre is a government institution that supports non-primary non-energy exports. It provides companies from various industries with both financial and non-financial assistance at all stages of entering international markets, including within the framework of the national project "International Cooperation and Export". Most of the services offered by the REC Group are available online on the state digital platform "My Export". The REC is also majorly responsible for ensuring and implementing the "Made in Russia" programme.
The opportunities for systemic promotion of the "Made in Russia" national brand at home and abroad.
Russian-Emirates cooperation is at the top of the foreign trade agenda.
The teams handed the results of their work over to the Russian Export Centre' expert commission.
