Entering a new foreign market can be a major step and a serious investment:

Market analysis, strategic planning, product registration, incorporation in Russia, product labeling and promotion, distribution, office premises, personnel, customs, taxation and legal issues, rights protections… just to name a few of the hurdles to be overcome.

RMA Group offers several solutions that allow efficient and economical market assessment and entry.

For instance, familiarity with the Russian market requires a properly arranged familiarization trip, introductions to key reasons, as well as legal, logistical and staffing support once the launch decision has been made

RMA Group will set up a perfect itinerary for your trip to Russia, provide you with customized analytical reports and help you with all or part of logistical and managerial needs.

“The regulatory system is complex, non-transparent and does not conform to Western practices,” says the Canadian Trade Commissioner. “…exporters are advised to seek the advice of a distributor to navigate this registration process, or to contract a specialized consultant.”

Registering new products is the most time-consuming aspect of exporting dietary supplements to Russia and can take many months and even years. The RMA Group has years of successful experience in facilitating this process.

For a foreign company to be successful in Russia, requirements include:

• Solid command of the Russian language
• Thorough understanding of oftentimes complex laws and regulations, including taxation
• Strong reputation in Russia including market and government relationships
• Experience in operating through the Russian banking system
• Time, budget and contacts for frequent trips to Russia

RMA supports you through these requirements… and many more. While little immediate change is expected, this edge may not last forever

• Russia has growing health/wellness and personal care markets with several major Western manufacturers already represented Yet the nearly $2B potential nutraceutical market has barely been penetrated
• Chinese manufacturers of commodity vitamins and dietary supplements, backed by their government, have announced their intent to emphasize the Russian market in 2008

• The low Dollar to Euro and Ruble exchange rate has created a unique marketing advantage for US manufacturers
• While little immediate change is expected, this edge may not last forever

• In 2006 the Russian nutraceutical market witnessed one of the strongest growths globally registering a double-digit sales increase
• It is currently assessed at over $1.5 B

• Growing government and private healthcare spending.
• Status of public health in Russia remains low and requires immediate attention
• Rising demand for premium dietary supplements, personal care and other beauty and wellness products

• There are very few emerging markets that can remotely match the opportunity found in Russia
• If your company considers international expansion, Russia must be a high-priority

• Average wages per month in Russia increasing over 350% between 2001 and 2006 (from $112 to $395)
• During the same period, Unemployment declined from 9% to 7.1%
• Inflation declined from 18.6% to 9%
• Exports increased from $101.9B to $303.9B
• Imports increased from $53.9B to $159.8B
• Moscow is home to 44 billionaires, second in the world only to NY
• Most of Russia's 119,000 millionaires live in our near Moscow
• Moscow is now the most expensive city in the world (living cost)
• Russia will received $70B in foreign investments this year compared to $41B last year
• The average income in Moscow is $23,000, about twice the national per-capita