The President of the Franco-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Emmanuel Kide, addressed the guests with a welcoming speech. He noted the importance of the joint work of the Chamber's SME Committee and the Headquarters, which "will undoubtedly improve the quality of doing business in Moscow and will provide answers to practical questions arising from entrepreneurs.”
Messr. Anatoly Maltsan and Sergey Efremov, representatives of the Management Headquarters, described to the FRCCI representatives the difficulties that may be faced by entrepreneurs in Russia and Moscow, although the capital does assist and encourages entrepreneurs. Also, Mr. Maltsan reminded that the Management Headquarters contributes to solving systemic business problems by improving binding rules of conduct and its regulations.
Mr. Vardanyan spoke about joint projects and the work carried out by the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the preservation and development of foreign economic relations with France, as well as the activities of the Public Business Council at the Moscow Headquarters for the Protection of Business, headed by him, which brings together entrepreneurs, business associations and unions (including international) institutions, as well as representatives of executive authorities.
France is one of the largest foreign employers in Russia. Auchan has been the leader in the ranking of the largest foreign companies, according to Forbes, for several years in a row. None of the French companies has left Russia after 2014, and overall France is one of the largest investors in the Russian economy (second place after Germany, according to statistics from the Bank of Russia). Russia is interested in stimulating French investments on the territory of the Russian Federation, and in finding new forms of mutually beneficial cooperation and new projects.
Of course, it is important for foreign entrepreneurs and investors to feel protected and supported. Risks are always everywhere, but it is important to know about business protection measures. In this vein, Mr. Kide expressed his gratitude to the Headquarters for the Protection of Business in Moscow for its active work in creating an entrepreneurial and investment climate. In his turn, the Head of the Headquarters Department, Mr. Maltsan, said that French companies registered in Moscow can always count on protection and support in case of conflicts with administrative barriers and violation of their rights and legitimate interests.