Vladimir Platonov:

Bringing business together

The President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry talks about new MCCI projects

The development of international ties is a priority for the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). As of November 2019, the MCCI has signed over 140 agreements with foreign chambers of commerce and industry or other organizations.

Cooperation between seven of the world’s biggest cities – Moscow, Berlin, Vienna, Longon, Paris, Beijing, and São Paulo – continues within the scope of the Council of Heads of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Istanbul’s Chamber of Commerce has applied to join the C7.

A Council of heads of chambers of commerce and industry for cities that are central for the Eurasian Economic Space has been operating since last year. The foundation of this association was the e-platform “Business Market” that we developed to enable members of chambers of commerce and industry and their partners exchange business offers.

This project, which received strategic support from the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, peaked an interest among the members of the General Council of the World Chambers Federation and became a finalist in the international World Chamber Congress competition, which took place in Rio de Janeiro in June this year.

The point of the project is as follows. The platform of business allows members to establish an “internal market” for members of chambers of commerce and industry from around the world, with a verification process for business partners, using the principles of the digital economy.

Today, over forty chambers of commerce and industry, including eight foreign chambers, have joined “Business Market.” It encompasses over 120 cities that are hubs of business activity. Currently, over 1,400 relevant business offers from 600 verified companies have been posted, and over 2,000 business contracts have been signed. Investment proposals worth 300 billion rubles in total have been published.

The project is constantly growing, and new features have been added to the digital platform this year. For example, there is now the option to hold commercial tenders in order to find the best partners, an inter-corporate e-document system, and a process for validating documents (licenses, certificates, and testimonials are thoroughly examined and entered into a document registry).

The “Secure Transaction” feature has just been launched (the customer’s funds are reserved until the work is complete, and is only sent to the contractor afterward). The “Contract Builder” service is up next.

Another significant international undertaking for the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the participation in the International Club of Employers – a project that combines the spheres of business and education.

Overall, an effective system for stimulating and providing non-financial support for business, especially high-tech business, entering foreign markets, has been created on the basis of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There are 41 committees in the chamber for foreign economic cooperation with partners in foreign countries and a Customs Consulting Center (which provides advice on foreign economic activity). The MCCI has entered into a partnership agreement with the Moscow Export Center (a roadmap has been approved, joint measures are being taken to support exporters), and cooperation with the Russian Export Center is expanding.

The Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry is becoming a real center of attraction for both Russian and foreign business.