Solopharm participated in the First St. Petersburg Export Forum, «Made in Russia», held on April 27 at the «Russia – My History» Historical Park in St. Petersburg. This major industry event brought together over 500 representatives from the export community, federal and regional authorities, development institutions, and businesses.
The forum served as a platform to discuss key directions for developing Russia's non-commodity exports through 2030, as well as opportunities for promoting Russian companies in international markets.
As part of the business program, Oleg Lazarenko, Senior Export Director at Solopharm, was a featured speaker at the round table discussion titled: «The African Union: What and How to Export to African Countries?»
Africa as a Market of Strategic Opportunities
During the expert discussion, Oleg Lazarenko highlighted that the African continent is emerging as one of the most dynamically developing regions in the global economy. Rapid population growth, advancing healthcare systems, urbanization, and an increasing demand for modern pharmaceuticals create significant potential for Russian manufacturers.
According to the Solopharm representative, Africa is not a single market but a collection of dozens of nations, each with its own regulatory frameworks, business culture, linguistic environment, and logistical challenges. Therefore, successful exportation to the region requires not standardized templates but a deep understanding of local specifics and a long-term presence strategy.
Solopharm's Practical Experience
Throughout the round table, the company shared its own expertise in international supply, its experience in collaborating with foreign partners, and the specifics of pharmaceutical product registration and building sustainable export models.
Solopharm's real-world case studies and practical recommendations for companies just beginning to explore African markets drew particular interest from the participants.
A Lively Dialogue with the Business Community
Oleg Lazarenko's presentation took the form of an open professional discussion. Forum attendees posed numerous questions about the potential for export sales in Africa, practical barriers, market entry timelines, and the nuances of interacting with local entities.
The round table format facilitated a shift from theory to applied solutions and a valuable exchange of real-world experience between companies already active in foreign markets and those just starting their export journey.
Significance of the Forum
The plenary session of the forum included representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, the Russian Export Center, the governments of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, as well as executives from leading Russian enterprises.
Key statistics announced at the forum include:
- St. Petersburg ranks 1st in the Northwest and 2nd in Russia by export volume.
- Over 7,000 export-oriented enterprises operate in the city.
- Exports are made to more than 150 countries.
- The volume of St. Petersburg's non-commodity, non-energy exports grew by 15% in 2025
A Comment from the Solopharm Press Center
«For Solopharm, exporting is not just a commercial activity; it's an opportunity to represent the Russian pharmaceutical industry on an international level. We see high potential in developing markets, including African countries, and believe it is crucial to share our practical expertise with the business community. Platforms like this help companies find solutions more quickly and enter new markets with greater confidence.»
