Importance of the trade show for the region North-West Russia 

The Neva exhibition is an important high-profile event organized in Saint-Petersburg every two years. It is one of the biggest shipping and shipbuilding exhibition in Europe. 

The Neva exhibition is of a great importance for the city because Saint-Petersburg is often called the marine capital of Russia. The exhibition is actively supported by the Russian Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Fishery Agency and the Maritime Board.

The business program included different conferences, workshops, round-table discussions and presentations. The topics discussed included: new technologies and systems for shipbuilding, current needs and opportunities for shipbuilding, production localization, government support measures for shipping and fishing companies, development of cruise industry, new technologies and equipment for towing and salvage boats, upgrading of the port infrastructure, new shipyards and capacities for shipbuilding.   

The exhibition itself was quite interesting and impressive. There were several national stands: Finnish, Chinese, German, Dutch, Croatian, South Korean and Turkish. It provided a good visibility and awareness. The number of exhibitors increased from 538 in 2015 to 595 companies in 2017. 

Belgium was represented by one company, active in dredging and land reclamation projects in Russia. The project portfolio includes projects in Sochi (new passenger terminal), Yamal (Sabetta seaport), Leningrad region (Ust-Luga seaport), Kaliningrad region, Tuapse (Tuapse seaport). 

Many exhibitors noted that the exhibition was well organized and attended. There was a considerable rise in the number of visitors to the Neva exhibition. In 2015 the number of professional visitors totaled 15.000 people.

Most of the visitors came from Saint-Petersburg and regions of Russia. Visiting the exhibition can be a good opportunity to find potential clients or distributors for companies working in this field.

Trade show trends

Russia continues the industrial modernization and a considerable reorganization of the transport industry including fishing vessels, passenger and cargo ships. The passenger and fishing fleets need to be rebuilt or replaced. Many vessels were built in the 1980-s and they do not conform to safety requirements.

Localization of manufacturing is an important issue in Russia. The Russian economy needs significant investment in technology modernization. The Russian government is trying to move the economy away from overdependence on imports and towards more competitive, high-tech and innovative industry with the high rate of local production. The governmental support measures consist of various preferences and tax incentives provided to companies operating in strategic industries on the Russian market, and preferable conditions for local companies and 'goods of local origin' participating in state procurement.