MEB Mission to Moscow report

Initial reports have been positive from the delegation to Moscow led by the Monaco Economic Board and its Monaco Chamber of Commerce department. The visit was tied to ‘Monaco Week in Moscow’ orchestrated by the Principality’s Embassy to mark the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Led by MEB Chairman Michel Dotta, the delegation comprised 40+ business men and women, and company heads operating in different sectors[1].

After a first mission to Moscow in 2013, meetings during the GAIDAR and SPIEF business forums in Russia, and the signing in Monaco December 2015 of cooperation agreements with the Russian CCI, the RSPP (Union of Russian Industrialists and Entrepreneurs) and Business Russia, the MEB seized this opportunity to pursue discussions with its counterparts.

Wednesday 5 October, the Russian Federation’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the delegation on their premises for bilateral presentations attended by Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Relations and International Cooperation, and Ambassador HE Mrs Mireille Pettiti. These were followed by a networking lunch and sector-specific round table discussions.

The next day, the MEB, RSPP and Business Russia jointly organised a second business-focused day, with a seminar on the business environment in Russia, testimony from Monegasque company Dietsmann which employs 1,500 people on site, and, new for the MEB, a session of presentations to potential investors by Monaco entrepreneurs seeking partners and finance to expand into Russia.

A networking lunch rounded off the morning, attended by Marie-Catherine Caruso, Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations representing Giles Tonelli; Igor Yurgens, RSPP Vice-President who is also Monaco’s Consul in Moscow; Alexey Repik and Nonna Kagramanya, President and Vice-President respectively of Business Russia; and MEB Chairman Michel Dotta. It was yet another excellent opportunity for the entrepreneurs present to make further promising contacts.

Networking continued during the Monaco evening organised by the Tourist and Convention Authority for Russian customers and partners on 5 October at the Volkhonka Mansion and at a reception hosted by Monaco’s Ambassador, HE Mrs Mireille Pettiti on 6 October at the National State Museum, both attended by Monaco’s Minister of State, HE Mr Serge Telle.

As always, Trade Missions are a chance for Monaco business people to network among themselves, an aspect they once again welcomed.

For Michel Dotta, Monaco Economic Board Chairman, “a new step has been taken in bilateral relations between Monaco and Russia. This Mission has helped us get to know the working methods and profiles of members of our three counterparts in Moscow. As always, particularly with our Russian friends, building on good relations with our partners must now be followed up for the long-term.”