📊 Investing in the future: Why are international professionals choosing the Nizhny Novgorod Region? At major economic forums, discussions often focus on taxes, timelines, and macroeconomic indicators. Yet behind every investment are real people whose talent, expertise, and ambition drive progress. At the recent Nizhny Novgorod Economic Forum, OKA Agency shifted the focus from economic metrics to human capital. Alongside co-organizing the event, we hosted a panel discussion titled “Why People Choose Russia as Their New Home.” It became one of the forum’s most engaging and candid conversations. As OKA Agency CEO Jakob Pinneker noted in his opening remarks: “Capital always follows people — their talent and their energy.” But attracting international talent requires more than opportunity alone. It takes an entire ecosystem that enables people to settle in, integrate, and thrive. Key takeaways from our speakers ▫️Traditional values and security. Yuri Smorodov, Chief Adviser to the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region on Religious Affairs, highlighted the importance of a safe environment where families can raise children in accordance with their moral values. ▫️Integration as a foundation for success. Irina Korotkova, CEO of the Agency for Attracting International Talent, explained how effective integration mechanisms help newcomers navigate their new environment, enter the local economy, and establish themselves professionally. ▫️Ambition over climate. Biochemist and startup CEO Andrey Noskov emphasized that highly qualified professionals are often drawn by ambitious challenges, professional growth, and access to new markets. ▫️Innovation without borders. IT entrepreneurs Lubomir Karadzhov and Enrique Espinosa highlighted Russia’s technology infrastructure, with particular attention to Nizhny Novgorod’s dynamic innovation ecosystem. ▫️Urban environments and cultural exchange. Architect Anton Glikin stressed the importance of a comfortable urban environment, while cultural leader and director Hans-Joachim Frey underscored that integration works both ways: international newcomers discover Russia’s rich heritage while contributing their own experiences and building bridges between cultures. Our discussion reaffirmed a fundamental principle: choosing a new country is about more than relocation. It is about finding professional opportunities, a welcoming community, reliable infrastructure, and the support needed to build a meaningful life. International newcomers are helping shape Russia’s future through their expertise, ideas, projects, and families. At OKA Agency, our mission is to support them at every stage of this journey, helping them feel secure, connected, and truly at home. Because investing in the future ultimately means investing in people 💚 ✔Subscribe to the OKA Agency: We make you fall in love with Nizhny Novgorod More information on our website! Follow us on: 📱 Instagram* 📱 X 📱 YouTube 📱 TikTok *Owned by Meta, recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation #WeAreOka