Online Reporter
Edgar Vhera
Specialist Writer – Agribusiness
ZIMBABWE has signed a five-year cooperation agreement with Russia’s Roscongress Foundation at the ongoing St Petersburg International Economic Forum, the national trade development and promotion organisation, ZimTrade, has revealed.
The development comes at a time when Russian exports are reported to have surged by 80 percent.
The SPIEF is one of the world’s largest economic forums, often referred to as ‘Russia’s Davos’, and is running from June 3 to 6.
It brings together over 24 000 business leaders, investors, exporters and companies from more than 140 countries.
SPIEF 2026 is taking place in the context of the ongoing transformation of the global economy, amid technological changes and the transition to sustainable development, as well as the formation of new financial models.
The forum provides a key platform for dialogue between governments, business and economic experts, where practical solutions are formulated to promote sustainable growth and strengthen international cooperation.
ZimTrade chief executive officer, Mr Allan Majuru and his Roscongress counterpart, Mr Alexander Stuglev, signed the five-year agreement between his organisation and the organiser of SPIEF, Roscongress Foundation.
“For Zimbabwean exporters and investors, SPIEF is a key platform to meet buyers and partners to get direct access to Russian and Eurasian markets.
“It is also a platform to showcase products from agriculture, mining inputs, manufacturing, and tourism players in Zimbabwe,” Mr Majuru said.
SPIEF also provides insights on trade, investment, finance and new sectors driving demand in Russia and the Global South.
The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a leading organiser of international conventions, exhibitions, business, social, sports and cultural events.
Mr Majuru said the agreement created a formal channel for Zimbabwean businesses to plug into SPIEF and Roscongress events and other activities of economic interest in Russia.
ZimTrade and Roscongress will work together to develop new partnerships between Zimbabwean and Russian companies focusing on exports and imports.
“Apart from business matchmaking, both parties will organise and co-promote business forums, roundtables, conferences and exhibitions on trade and economic issues.
“ZimTrade will get access to market information and opportunities through Roscongress,” Mr Majuru added.
Zimbabwean companies and products will also be promoted to Russian business networks. Joint promotional campaigns will highlight Zimbabwean products to Russian business audiences through targeted media platforms.
Under capacity building, mutual consulting and expert support on economic and trade matters will be given priority.
Explaining what the pact meant for Zimbabwean companies, the ZimTrade boss described it as a framework to unlock access to the Russian market for Zimbabwean companies.
“Zimbabwean companies can now get facilitated access to SPIEF, Roscongress business events and other activities of interest in Russia.
“They will also receive direct information on Russian market opportunities and be part of coordinated Zimbabwe pavilions/exhibitions at major Russian trade events.
The agreement also connects Zimbabwean companies with potential Russian buyers through structured business-to-business sessions.
Meanwhile, data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) shows that Russia was among the country’s top 20 export destinations last year.
Zimbabwe’s exports to Russia rose by 80 percent to US$2, 4 million last year, up from US$1, 3 million in 2024.
Statistics from the International Trade Centre (ITC) managed Trade Map online database show that tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, products, whether or not containing nicotine, were the main product group category, earning the country US$2, 27 million, followed by works of art, collectors’ pieces and antiques on US$83 000.
Trade Map data also showed that the country imported goods worth US$42 million from Russia, as fertiliser assumed pole position with imports of US$35 million, followed by cereals of US$5 million.
