Mini-Feature: Anna Shelkova discusses Paperworld Russia

July 20, 2012

Show Director talks on the second Paperworld and Remanexpo trade fair in Russia, to take place on 25–27 September.

Paperworld Show Director Anna Shelkova has spoken with The Recycler on the upcoming Paperworld Russia and Remanexpo Russia 2012 events, as well as what businesses can expect when doing business in the region.

With the exhibition to take place on 25–27 September, aftermarket companies looking to the region can expect Remanexpo Russia to be “a powerful tool for foreign companies eager to enter the Russian market. Being an international brand, Paperworld Russia develops traditions of the world-known fair in Frankfurt and offers its customers top-level service and plenty of business contacts.”

Shelkova commented on the show’s infancy, but was optimistic that it would continue the traditional quality of its Frankfurt ilk: “It will be only the second edition of Paperworld Russia. It always takes time for a trade fair to become well-known. Yet even now we can state that Paperworld Russia has become an important business event for many key players […] therefore, we expect the number of loyal customers to grow every year.”

The region has undergone change since The Recycler last discussed the country back in 2006’s issue 163, and Shelkova spoke on why so many companies have their eye on Russia: “Russia joined the World Trade Organisation, which implies certain benefits for foreign companies wishing to enter the Russian market. In the current situation of the global economic recession, Russia is one of the countries demonstrating a rapid recovery from the downturn.

“Therefore, while many world markets are seriously affected by the economic slowdown, Russia seems to be a highly attractive market for import development […] the Russian economy demonstrates a stable annual growth and a constant growth of consumption. Another important factor to be mentioned is poor domestic production and unsaturation of the local market, which contributes to inflow of foreign products.”

However, the market is not without pitfalls, and a steady hand is necessary before engaging.

“Entering the Russian market may be tempting and challenging at the same time. Russia is not an easy or fast entry market yet. Performed with diligence, expansion into Russia will deliver a large part of a company’s future growth. In spite of numerous stereotypes, it should be always kept in mind that economic laws are as true in Russia as everywhere else in the world.

“Success results from focusing on the value chain, on having a flexible business model and ability to manage a number of cultural challenges. And lastly, Russia is a reliable and promising business partner, which results from stabilisation of international relations and reduction of tension in the foreign policy.”

Remanexpo and Paperworld Russia will be an invaluable opportunity to reconnoitre and evaluate, and will provide information and insight to visitors both first-time and experienced.

“In 2012, a special focus will be laid on the business program of the fair. There will be speakers covering a wide range of various topics such as contemporary situation in the paper industry worldwide, general economic situation in Russia after joining the WTO and its influence on the stationery business,” among others.

Check out The Recycler issue 235 for more information on Remanexpo Russia and China, including further insight into the market and up-to-date information on the exhibitions.

Categories : World Focus

Tags : Paperworld Remanexpo Russia