🗓 On October 22, the Nizhny Novgorod Economic Forum concluded in Nizhny Novgorod. Thanks to the extensive business programme, representatives of government, Russian and foreign entrepreneurs, academia and development institutions had the opportunity to discuss practical solutions for implementing international projects. The main event was the Plenary Session “Advancing international cooperation at the confluence of the Oka and Volga”. 🌐 The event gathered more than 600 government representatives, business leaders and diplomats from 27 countries, including China, India, Brazil, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka. The Forum was organised by the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Oka Agency. 💬 Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin: Before 2022, almost 80% of our region’s exports went west – to Europe and the US. Over the past few years, however, the vast majority of enterprises in the Nizhny Novgorod Region have managed to redirect their sales to new markets – primarily India and China. Companies in our region and across Russia have learned to compete with leading global manufacturers under these extremely challenging conditions. Throughout the discussion, speakers emphasised that, as the world moves towards #Multipolarity, Russia is developing new logistics routes and strengthening ties within the #EAEU, #CIS, #SCO and #BRICS, while attempts to isolate our country are doomed to fail. 💬Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov: It is deeply symbolic that this forum is taking place in Nizhny Novgorod, where fairs have been held for centuries, helping establish and develop trade and personal ties between Russia, Europe, Central Asia, India and Persia. I hope the Nizhny Novgorod Economic Forum will likewise become a meeting point for all those interested in doing business with our country. Chinese representatives proposed making greater use of the Yangtze-Volga cooperation mechanism to establish joint production facilities, conduct scientific research and enter third-country markets. Cooperation with African countries was also identified as a promising area, with companies from the Nizhny Novgorod Region well placed to supply industrial equipment, medical devices, food products and IT solutions. ✍️ Three cooperation agreements were also signed at the Forum: • between Privolzhsky Research Medical University and the University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina); • between the Nizhny Novgorod Region Export Support Centre and the Association for Business Cooperation between Exporters and Middle Eastern Countries; • between the Agency for Attracting Foreign Talent and the Oka Agency. The success of the inaugural Forum has set the course for its development – this is only the beginning! Next year, the Forum is expected to become a two-day event, with a stronger focus on interregional cooperation, pooling the capabilities of Russia’s regions to attract foreign partners and implement joint projects. 👉 LEARN MORE #NEF2026