FAQ: How do we find a local distributor or business partner in Russia?

25 June 2025

Key business events, associations, local consultants and search services

Trade exhibitions and business forums

Every year, Russia hosts numerous business events of various sizes and catering to a range of business interests. The most well-known and largest of these are the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), INNOPROM, and Golden Autumn. A full list of major business events in 2025 can be found here.
These events attract hundreds of companies open to cooperation and partnership. Thematically, they cover a wide range of economic sectors, including manufacturing, construction, IT, and more.
Companies can rent an exhibition stand and showcase their products and services directly to potential customers.

Sber in India offers expert support to help you establish strong business relationships with your Russian partners.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (RF CCI) provides a partner search service which allows you to filter member companies by industry and region. This service is available to both Russian and international organisations. In addition, local CCI branches send business missions and delegations to various regions (for example, Tatarstan or Novosibirsk).
Online directories for conducting partner searches in Russia include Made in Russia, ExportBase, Kontur.Kompas, Bepartner, and BizNet.
Companies can look into any potential partners (reputation, financial statements, information on legal proceedings, etc.) using specialised platforms such as SPARK-Interfax.

Business partners can also be found through industry associations and unions. Membership in these organisations will increase trust in your business and facilitate market entry.
Major Russian associations include: RSPP (Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs), Opora Russia, AKIT (Association of E-commerce Companies), FRiO (Federation of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers), ATOR (Association of Tour Operators of Russia), and AEB (Association of European Businesses).

Russian consulting firms offer a set of services covering partner search, due diligence, and transaction support, with a focus on risk mitigation and industry-specific requirements.
Legal firms can assist in drafting distribution or agency agreements in accordance with the Russian Civil Code and antitrust legislation.