Ivan Demchenko, Chairman of the Russian–Thai Business Council (RTBC), spoke at the session “Business Environment of the Future: Global Experience and New Solutions” on September 3 as part of the Eastern Economic Forum 2026 (EEF 2026).
In his speech, Ivan Demchenko focused on the key factors that are shaping business activity and international trade amid today’s geopolitical environment. Global trade today is driven not only by demand, costs, and access to financing. According to the RTBC Chairman, security and new logistics routes are playing an increasingly important role in economic processes.
“When we talk about global logistics, we often hear the words ‘transformation,’ ‘a new architecture,’ and ‘the restructuring of supply chains.’ But behind these terms are very concrete needs. We need new connections, new terminals, new capacities, new services, and new forms of partnership between cargo owners, operators, ports, railways, and the state,” said Ivan Demchenko.
Another key factor, according to the RTBC Chairman, is access to new markets and consumers. The markets of the Asian region are becoming one of the most promising destinations for Russian exporters. Demand for infrastructure, housing, industrial construction, energy, transportation, and new cities is actively growing across the region, and this trend is expected to strengthen further over time.
“When we open a new route, we are not simply changing the destination port. We are reaching new markets and new customers. And every market has its own standards and requirements for quality, packaging, labeling, certification, payment terms, documentation, insurance, services, and delivery schedules. Therefore, it is not enough simply to find an open market. We need to understand in advance which market will become truly significant in four or five years, in line with the next economic and technological cycle,” concluded Ivan Demchenko.
Photo: Roscongress, RIA Novosti
In his speech, Ivan Demchenko focused on the key factors that are shaping business activity and international trade amid today’s geopolitical environment. Global trade today is driven not only by demand, costs, and access to financing. According to the RTBC Chairman, security and new logistics routes are playing an increasingly important role in economic processes.
“When we talk about global logistics, we often hear the words ‘transformation,’ ‘a new architecture,’ and ‘the restructuring of supply chains.’ But behind these terms are very concrete needs. We need new connections, new terminals, new capacities, new services, and new forms of partnership between cargo owners, operators, ports, railways, and the state,” said Ivan Demchenko.
Another key factor, according to the RTBC Chairman, is access to new markets and consumers. The markets of the Asian region are becoming one of the most promising destinations for Russian exporters. Demand for infrastructure, housing, industrial construction, energy, transportation, and new cities is actively growing across the region, and this trend is expected to strengthen further over time.
“When we open a new route, we are not simply changing the destination port. We are reaching new markets and new customers. And every market has its own standards and requirements for quality, packaging, labeling, certification, payment terms, documentation, insurance, services, and delivery schedules. Therefore, it is not enough simply to find an open market. We need to understand in advance which market will become truly significant in four or five years, in line with the next economic and technological cycle,” concluded Ivan Demchenko.
Photo: Roscongress, RIA Novosti