At the congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Russian President described the nation’s most recent trade balance as a striking achievement, calling it favorable and solid. He noted that the surplus for 2022 reached 332 billion dollars, a figure he highlighted as proof of the economy’s robust health. This assessment was shared as the head of state spoke to attendees and was echoed by the state information agency, which reported his remarks about the year-end indicators.
Speaking from a venue large enough to be likened to a concert hall, the president characterized the situation as a moment of harmony in financial metrics. He emphasized that the strong surplus reflects not only core export strength but also strategic adjustments in how Russia conducts its international trade, particularly amid shifting global markets. His comparison of the moment to music was intended to convey confidence in the country’s economic stance and its ability to respond to changing conditions with steadiness and clarity.
The president pointed out that Russia managed to offset the impact of Western market closures by building and expanding trade links with rapidly growing economies in other regions. He described this realignment as a deliberate shift toward diverse trading partners, ensuring that the country could sustain growth momentum even as traditional markets contracted.
According to the head of state, this reorientation began even before the current crisis phenomena intensified and the special operations in Ukraine began. He argued that the move toward new markets was underway gradually and with intention, rather than as a spur-of-the-moment reaction. He added that the pace of change, while perhaps not as rapid as some observers expected, has continued, and the trend remains positive and persistent.
He underscored that trade with the growing regions showed double-digit growth in 2022 and has continued to rise in the current year. This pattern signals a broader shift in Russia’s external trade architecture and confidence that the country can sustain higher levels of commercial activity by leveraging diverse regional opportunities. The remarks framed the development as part of a longer-term strategy rather than a short-term fluctuation, highlighting a trajectory of expanding international partnerships and sustained export performance, even amid global volatility. In summary, the efforts to broaden market access appear to be bearing fruit, according to the president and the officials monitoring trade statistics.