The acceptance of applications for the competition of promising Russian brands has started

The Agency for Strategic Initiatives and the Roscongress Foundation are holding a competition for promising Russian brands, the purpose of which is to support the development of promising Russian brands in each region of the country. The contest is held within the framework of the forum "Strong Ideas for a New Time", organized by ASI and the Roscongress Foundation.

At a meeting of the Agency's supervisory Board in February of this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a system of selection and promotion of promising domestic brands. The Head of State noted at the time that this would help Russian companies increase production and sales volumes, as well as reach the federal level.

We all know examples when a quality product cannot reach the consumer simply because it does not have sufficient recognition. And vice versa: a beautiful wrapper often helps, to put it mildly, not particularly useful goods to get on the shelf. That is why you should not underestimate the importance of the brand. And now, when free niches have appeared on the market, it is especially important to support our domestic brands," said Mikhail Khomich, Director of special projects of the ASI operational unit.

Applications for participation in the contest are accepted on the idea crowd идея.росконгресс.рф in five nominations:

• Food products
• Consumer goods
• Information technology
• High technology
• Creative industries

The participants of the competition can be entrepreneurs – representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, whose companies demonstrate steady growth rates and a high degree of localization of production, as well as whose products are already highly appreciated by consumers:

• The company must be a resident of the region from which it submits the application
• The company belongs to one of the five industries-nominations of the competition
• The company implements socially significant projects
• The company demonstrates a high level of localization of production

The competition jury will determine up to five winning brands from each subject. In addition, five federal winners of the competition will be selected, which will be awarded by the country's top leadership at the full-time event of the forum in June this year. The jury will also mark the regions with the best sets of brand support measures.

The winning brands will be able to promote their products on marketplaces and retail chains, on television and in new media, as well as receive support and promotion from the partners of the competition. Among them are the Roscongress Foundation, Wildberries, OZON, ANO Dialog, FCC, Russian Post, Roskachestvo, ANO National Priorities and others.

For reference:

The Roscongress Foundation - is a socially oriented non–financial development institute, the largest organizer of all-Russian, international, congress, exhibition, business, public, youth, sports and cultural events, established in accordance with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation.

The Foundation was established in 2007 to promote the development of economic potential, promote national interests and strengthen the image of Russia. The Foundation comprehensively studies, analyzes, formsand highlights issues of the Russian and global economic agenda. Provides administration and promotes the promotion of business projects and investment attraction, promotes the development of social entrepreneurship and charitable projects. 

The Foundation's events bring together participants from 208 countries and territories, more than 15,000 media representatives annually work at Roscongresssites, more than 5,000 experts in Russia and abroad are involved in analytical and expert work.

 The Foundation interacts with UN structures and other international organizations. Develops multi-format cooperation with 180 foreign economic partners, associations of industrialists and entrepreneurs, financial, trade and business associations in 81 countries, with 186 Russian public organizations, federal executive and legislative authorities, subjects of the Russian Federation.

Autonomous non-profit Organization "Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects" (asi.ru ) was created by an order of the Government of Russia dated August 11, 2011. The ASI Supervisory Board is headed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Agency supports projects aimed at systemic changes in improving the business climate and supporting innovation, education and training, healthcare and social services, regional and urban development.

Among the key initiatives of the ASI are the National Rating of the investment Climate in the regions, theSmartecaplatform for the exchange of best practices, the 100 City Leaders program, a model for increasing the innovative openness of large companies and the platform of the National Technology Initiative.