The French are coming

The country's leadership will help its entrepreneurs start a business in Russia

While the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources is trying to deprive the main French oil company Total of the license to develop the Kharyaga field, small and medium-sized enterprises from this country are planning to enter the Russian market as investors.

Russia became one of five countries for which France developed a special “Export Course” program. These are priority states for France, with which Paris intends to most actively develop export-import relations and make the largest investments. Thus, the Russian government will receive significant outside assistance in solving the problem of improving the investment climate. Almost all large French companies are already represented on the Russian market, now it’s the turn of small and medium-sized businesses to explore Russian spaces.

French Foreign Trade Minister Christine Lagarde brought a whole delegation of businessmen to Moscow. “In my opinion, the French could bring a lot of benefits in sectors such as energy, biotechnology, transport and infrastructure in general. In addition, there are traditionally strong sectors for France, such as design, architecture and ready-to-wear,” Ms. Lagarde told reporters.

Thirty companies representing a variety of sectors of the economy, from the production of Armagnac to the processing of metal waste, came to study the promising Russian market. For those who like it here, the “Export Course” will help. It has a special program to help small and medium-sized enterprises, and also provides funding for participation in Russian exhibitions and fairs. “One small company producing ice cream cones opened a plant in Russia. This means it is possible,” said Ms. Lagarde. True, the minister warns, French entrepreneurs should be prepared for difficulties. It took this company a whole year to collect all the necessary licenses and permits. In addition, difficulties in obtaining financing from French banks make life difficult for small businesses.

Nevertheless, it is possible and necessary to work in Russia, not only in Moscow, but also in the provinces. “There is a great opportunity to invest at lower costs in the province. Sometimes many things in Russia in the provinces are solved much simpler and easier,” admitted Christine Lagarde. Before Moscow, she visited Yekaterinburg, where she opened a French trade mission.

By the way, there is also an export support program for small businesses in Russia. But we clearly have a lot to learn from France in this regard.

Vera SITNINA