Board of Directors of JSC "Russian Export Center" (REC) decided to terminate the powers of the current CEO of REC Andrey Slepnev and appoint Veronika Nikishina, who since 2016 was a member of the Board (Minister) on Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission. In addition, the Board of Directors approved the execution of REC general corporate performance indicators for 2019 at 100%.

Last year the REC supported exports worth $19.5 billion with a target of $17.2 billion. This is the highest figure since the establishment of this state institute to support non-resource, non-energy exports. Compared to 2018, this indicator increased by 3.7% (the volume of supported exports amounted to $18.8 billion), from 2017 - by 35.4% ($14.4 billion), from 2016 - by 107.4% ($9.4 billion), from 2015 - by 195.5% ($6.6 billion).

It was ensured implementation of a number of major deals on supply of engineering products to Cuba, Egypt and Uzbekistan, supported implementation of projects in Turkmenistan, large supplies of agro-industrial complex products to China, EAEC and EU countries. The REC was one of the key organizers of the Russia-Africa year, holding the economic conference "Russia-Africa" in cooperation with Afreximbank, and co-organizing the forum "Russia-Africa" on the margins of the summit in Sochi. As a result, an institutional mechanism for trade financing was formed with more than 10 African countries.

The target of 11,000 supported exporters was also met. The number of exporters who received support in 2019 exceeded the target by 3% and by 8% the same indicator of the previous year.

Thus, in 2019 through the financial instruments of REC Group 12.6% of all Russian non-resource non-energy exports were supported, and taking into account agency and promotion support of exporters - 17.6%, which corresponds to the best international benchmarks.

"Over the past year we have done a lot of work to adjust state support for exports. As a result, the volume of export support reached a record-breaking figure in modern Russian history. We paid special attention to the promotion of high-tech products, in particular, machine building, and a number of major deals are a clear proof of this. We launched an updated line of products for small and medium-sized businesses, and about 600 companies in the SME sector went through various REC acceleration programs. To promote exports, we have launched the "Exporter of the Year" award, which was attended by over 1600 exporters. Considerable attention was paid to improving the efficiency of the REC's agency function in providing subsidies. The RECs have ambitious tasks to achieve the goals set in the national projects. I am sure that the new management of the Center will successfully cope with this challenge. For my part, I, in my new work in EEC, am ready to contribute to the solution of all the tasks related to the national project "International Cooperation and Export" - Andrey Slepnev, REC Director General.

In accordance with the decision of the Council, the powers of Andrei Slepnev will terminate on February 9, Veronika Nikishina will take office on February 10. Slepnev will take over the post of EEC Trade Minister after all interstate approval procedures.

"I work closely with Veronika Olegovna for many years. She linked her professional path with the development of trade and export, was at the origin of the Russian Export Center. Her experience will serve to further develop REC's activities in the development of non-resource, non-energy exports, and the implementation of ambitious tasks under the national project. On behalf of the entire VEB.RF team and development organizations, I would like to thank Andrey Slepneva for the work done, and I am sure that close cooperation between Veronika Olegovna and Andrey Aleksandrovich will continue in their new positions" - Igor Shuvalov, VEB.RF Chairman, REC Board of Directors.

"The REC has already come a long way in its development. We have a lot of work to do in order to make the Center's activity of new quality, to make it perceived by all exporters as a reliable, technological and customer-oriented partner. A partner who understands the problems of exporters helps to solve them quickly and efficiently" - Veronika Nikishina, REC's General Director from 10.02.2020.

For reference:

Nikishina Veronica Olegovna

Veronika Nikishina held senior positions in the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, was Deputy Director of the Department of Trade Negotiations, headed the Department of America and the Department for Coordination, Development and Regulation of Foreign Economic Activities.

Thanks to 17 years of work in the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia Veronika Nikishina has extensive experience in identifying and removing various trade barriers, the application of trade protection measures, veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, as well as experience in international negotiations.

Prior to her appointment as a member of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission, she served as Assistant First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

Veronika Nikishina became a member of the Board (Minister) on Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission in February 2016. She supervised a number of key areas for the Eurasian Economic Union, such as customs and non-tariff regulation, the establishment of preferential trade regimes with third countries (FTA), the application of protective measures by the Eurasian Economic Union.

Candidate of Science (Economics), defended her thesis on "Managing access of Russian goods to the markets of foreign countries in modern conditions".

Andrey Alexandrovich Slepnev

Born on September 13, 1969 in Bor, Nizhny Novgorod region.

Andrey Slepnev graduated from Nizhny Novgorod State University. Andrey Slepnev graduated from Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University with a degree in Applied Mathematics and from the Lomonosov Moscow State University. Andrey Slepnev graduated from Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University with a degree in applied mathematics and from Lomonosov Moscow State University with a degree in law.

He began his career in insurance, where he rose from project manager to CEO of the Russian Union of Motor Insurers in a few years.

From 2003 to 2005, he worked as Deputy Director General of the Union "Coordinating Council of Russian Employer Associations".

From 2005 to 2007, he was Head of the Department for Support of Priority National Projects of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.

In 2007 he became Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, and in 2009 he became Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

From February 2012 to January 2016, he was a member of the Board (Minister) on Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

From February 2016 to April 2018 he worked as Assistant Prime Minister of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Government of the Russian Federation - Director of the Department of Project Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation.

On May 1, 2018, he was appointed Director General of JSC Russian Export Centre.

// Made in Russia