23-04-2008  RBCC Seminar "Survival Guide for Expats in Russia 2008"

RBCC Seminar "Survival Guide for Expats in Russia 2008"

Moscow. On 26 March the RBCC Moscow office held an extremely useful and practical seminar "Survival Guide for Expats in Russia 2008" at the Marriott Grand Hotel, which was specifically tailored for foreigners planning to move into Russia on business or for those already settled here. The event was kindly supported by Penny Lane Realty, Penny Lane Personnel, PG&P and MIG Security Services. As Helen Womack, a freelance British journalist based in Moscow who moderated the event, said in her opening words to the seminar, one can come to Russia for a couple of days or a couple of years - there's rarely something in between - but in any case an expatriate can not only survive but thrive here.

Andrey Sado adresses the audience

The presentations covered different aspects of everyday life in Russia and were tailored to pinpoint issues that an expat might face and to show the best ways out of potential pitfalls. Inna Kachalova, lawyer from PG&P, highlighted some visa regulations and migration law matters for foreign employees, while Anastasia Simonova from Ace-International Moving focused on the logistical side of the relocation process. Karina Khudenko, Director of PwC, spoke about the provision of expatriate benefits in Russia. Elena Egorova, director of Sales and Development at Penny Lane Personnel, and Mila Trukhmanova, Head of Expatriate Services at IKEA Russia, enlarged on the HR and recruitment questions; focusing on the pros and cons of employing foreign specialists and the best strategies to retain expatriate employees. Mikhail Balev from MIG Security Services presented the Emergency Assistance Interregional Programme, which is a unique solution for helping expats feel safe in Russia. Angela Baxter, Berlitz Business Development Director, delivered a brilliant presentation on the importance of cross-cultural issues and the threats of stereotypes for international business practices.

The seminar also highlighted the wealth of social benefits and leisure opportunities that expats' have at their disposal in Russia. Andrey Sado, Director of the Elite Real Estate Department at Penny Lane Realty, made obvious the great potential of the residential market for expatriates in Moscow, while Ross Hunter, Headmaster of the English International School in Moscow focused on the schooling issues of family relocation. The representatives of Ingosstrakh Insurance Company, World Class fitness and the British Women's Club gave an overview of the medical services, sport and recreational facilities available for expats in Russia.

The event proved a great success and even Russian guests admitted they had learnt a lot from the presentations about themselves and the country they live in. The RBCC staff would like to thank all the member-companies, guests and partners for their contributions to this seminar and wish our expat colleagues good luck in working out their Russian life-styles.

Source: RBCC Bulletin, Issue 3, April 2008