Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) continues to boost sectors with the UR-GE projects it implements in line with Turkey's development goals based on exports. In the scope of the "UR-GE Project for the Development of the International Competitiveness of Bursa Processed Food Producer Companies," a BTSO delegation of 25 people, consisting of 17 firms, conducted approximately 260 business meetings during the Russia Bilateral Business Meetings (B2B) activity.

PINPOINT BUSINESS MEETINGS

On the first day of the event held in Moscow, Russia, between February 7-11, 2022, the owners of Bursa-based firms conducted one-on-one business meetings with selected Russian companies and business people in the B2B hall by taking into account their sector goals and product ranges. In addition, Russian business people were introduced to the member firms of the project, and information was provided about the Bursa processed food market, clustering, as well as the project activities carried out in Bursa. According to the initial evaluations of the participating firms, it was noted that approximately 25% of the bilateral business meetings conducted during the B2B activity had the potential to conclude positively.

VISIT TO 'FOOD CITY', THE HEART OF THE RUSSIAN FOOD MARKET

On the second day of the Russia program, the BTSO delegation visited Food City, the largest food market in Russia. A meeting was held with the management team of Food City, including General Manager Omar Abramov, Leasing Department Manager Yana Denisova, and Business Development Manager Elena Vasilyevna. During the meeting, information about Food City was provided to Bursa firms, and the firms' questions were answered. Following the meeting, the participating firms toured the Food City Packaged/Processed Food Area with the guidance of Elena Vasilyevna, met with food wholesalers, examined the products closely, and gained extensive knowledge about the Russian food market.

VISIT TO THE MOSCOW EMBASSY

After the Food City visit, the participating firms visited the Embassy of Moscow at the invitation of Ambassador Mehmet Samsar. A meeting was held with Ambassador Samsar and Moscow Commercial Counselor Feridun Başer. Counselor Başer provided general information about Russia to the firms, as well as evaluations on the country's political and economic situation and possible business opportunities.

A BENEFICIAL EVENT FOR DETERMINING FORWARD-LOOKING STRATEGIES

The satisfaction level of the participating Bursa processed food firms was quite high, as expressed in the post-event evaluation meeting. The firms emphasized that the activity was beneficial not only in terms of exports initiated through B2B meetings but also for getting to know the Russian market, seeing the market potential, conducting competitor analysis, and consequently determining forward-looking commercial strategies for this market.