Participants in the Made in Russia indoor rowing competition at the Eastern Economic Forum set a Russian record

On September 4, a unique team rowing competition under the Made in Russia national brand took place on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum as part of the International Vladivostok Regatta. Participants set a national record by completing the 50-kilometer course in the Large Mixed Teams category. The race took 3 hours, 29 minutes, and 59 seconds. The event was organized by Russian Export Center (REC, VEB Group) and Russian Rowing Federation, with the support of Russian Ministry of Sport and Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East.

Russian Export Center dedicated its indoor rowing record to the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the victory over fascism. REC also prepared a unique prize for the winners of the International Vladivostok Regatta: a Russian national rowing team oar personally autographed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The competition became part of the state program to promote domestic products abroad under the Made in Russia brand.

A mixed team of approximately 40 people took part in it, including the representatives of business, government agencies, and professional athletes from Russia and eight foreign countries, namely Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Cuba.

"We thank Russian Export Center and Veronika Olegovna personally for her contribution to the development of sport and her constant attention. Welcoming all guests to our beautiful Vladivostok, I invite you to visit our pavilion—the Sports House—where all the achievements of Russian sport are on display. I am confident that sport and love for Russia unite us, and I wish everyone success and, of course, no injuries," Mikhail Degtyarev, Russian Sports Minister.

Russian Export Center has been organizing campaigns in support of the Made in Russia national brand at the Vladivostok Regatta for the third year. In 2023, REC launched the Russian Goods for Champions campaign, promoting products from domestic manufacturers on Chinese marketplaces. To support the campaign, videos featuring famous athletes were released on Chinese social media.

"The sports track has become a prominent element in promoting the Made in Russia brand domestically and internationally. Today, exporters, especially small and medium-sized businesses, need assistance in promoting their products and finding reliable partners and distribution channels. Events like these not only create opportunities for establishing business contacts but also foster loyalty to the national brand and a deeper understanding of Russia among our international partners," Veronika Nikishina, General Director, Russian Export Center.

It’s worth noting that in June, REC team set two Russian records in honor of the Group's 10th anniversary: 100 km rowing and the longest continuous rowing effort by a single team, as well as a world record for indoor rowing in 40 hours. During the same period, renowned rowers Alexey Svirin and Anton Zarutsky became ambassadors of the Made in Russia national brand.

"The choice of rowing to promote the national brand is symbolic, as it's a sport in which team unity, mutual understanding, and synchronicity to achieve a common goal are crucial to success. Through events like today's, we demonstrate Russia's strength, unity, and competitiveness, creating a space for trust and partnership," Alexey Svirin, President of the Russian Rowing Federation.

The Made in Russia program is implemented as part of the International Cooperation and Export national project. It is coordinated by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Russian Export Center is primarily responsible for supporting and implementing the program. Since 2022, over 3,700 companies have been able to increase their visibility, find partners and buyers, and gain a foothold in foreign markets thanks to the program's activities. Export contracts worth over 420 billion rubles have been signed.

In 2025, the Government, at the instruction of the President, adopted an updated Made in Russia program, which expanded the list of available promotional tools.