INNOPROM-2013. The results

The V International Industrial Exposition “Innoprom” was held in Yekaterinburg since 11 to 14 of July of 2013. Over 53000 people took part in the Exposition, delegations from over 70 countries of the world participated in the business program. Almost a third of the 550 exponents are foreign companies, including the world’s largest: DuPont, Schneider Electric, Siempelkamp, Philips, Sika, Knauf, Rittal, ABB, Eaton, Alstrom», Phoenix Contact, DMG, Caterpillar etc. This resulted in more than 150 events, including international conferences, round tables and forums with the participation of delegations from USA, Germany, China, Canada, Japan, Latin America and Arab countries. The known Russian and international experts were present at the plenary meeting: Anatoly Chubais, Chairman of the board of ROSNANO, Raman Chitkara, Global Leader of the Technology Practice of PwC, Dr. Xiang Bing, Dean of the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, Professor of Forecasting and Innovation James Woudhuysen, Ross Lovegrove, a British designer, submitted their ideas on prevention of the industrial recession.

Within the framework of the Innoprom Exposition, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev met with the representatives of the business and discussed with them the mechanisms and instruments of development of the Russian industry.

The Russo-German Chamber of External Commerce (AHK) organized a round table with the key theme of strategies and projects of German companies. Advocate Erika Kindsvater of the Law Firm "YUST" represented the Firm at the event. The experts discussed:

• The Russian government strategies of localization of foreign industries in the territory of our country;
• Localization in Russia: premises and terms of conducting of the business;
• German manufacturers in the dialogue with officials;
• The terms of conducting of the business for supplier companies in the regions of Russia.

German investors believe that the investment climate in Russia is favorable and they are convinced that it will improve further. According to Advocate Erika Kindsvater, the number of the German companies that dare localize their industries keeps growing. Interest is shown towards Russian regions, especially those, where the cooperation of investors with local authorities is done professionally. The members of the round table pointed out that, alongside other factors (for example, a developed infrastructure, existing specialists etc.), the possibility of a direct communication with administrative bodies is of immense importance for the taking of the decision on localization. Much criticism was voiced by foreign investors during discussions despite positive feedback from entrepreneurs. The imperfect normative and legal base, complicated customs procedures, the high level of corruption et al. were named among the factors that hinder the investment climate.

Separate releases of the event are available here and here.