Russia e-Trade Mission a success!

The first ever virtual Trade Mission for Monaco Economic Board members was held 11 to 12 November and brought together entrepreneurs from Monaco and Russia for two days. 

The health crisis has not dampened MEB’s determination to explore new business opportunities for its members. It is thanks to Trade Missions to Russia over the last few years that it has managed to establish such close ties with Chambers of Commerce and business associations in four major metropolises: Moscow, St Petersburg, Rostov-sur-e-Don and Novossibirsk.

Under the aegis of Monaco’s Embassy in Russia, the virtual mission spanned all four regions in four identical sessions, with simultaneous translation.

After a briefing for participating companies, each programme started with a plenary session opened by H.E. Mrs Mireille Pettiti, Monaco’s Ambassador to Russia, who reminded them that her appointment to an embassy dedicated to Russia in 2015 sent a strong signal of the Principality’s desire to intensify relations between the two countries. Representatives of the two Chambers of Commerce then outlined the advantages of their respective countries during short but instructive presentations, before a succession of meetings held in virtual rooms. 

In total 18 organisations took part and benefited from some 100 meetings set up in a variety of sectors from wholesale trade to banking and finance and the pharmaceutical industry to the IT and communications sector. Each company was assigned a room, translator if required and a technical mediator to ensure the digital meeting went smoothly. On this occasion, all MEB staff were mobilised to provide the best possible support.

The event showcased the enormous potential of digital tools which were not widely used before the health crisis and have made it possible to keep business relations going between countries. It has served to highlight Monaco’s resilience and opened up new opportunities for development.

And as face-to-face contact and the pleasure of meeting up informally are irreplaceable, MEB also brought together an e-Delegation of Monegasque entrepreneurs for an information lunch before and during a feedback meeting to conclude the event. The goal: to get participants’ views in order to offer this new type of format for other destinations and promote exchanges, as always, between MEB members. Mission accomplished!

Media contacts - Benoît Ulrich / Delphine Quilichini: presse@meb.mc