In December 2020, Alexey Fursin, head of the Moscow Department of Business and Innovative Development, told reporters important news. The official shared with representatives of the press information that in the Duty Free stores of foreign airports in the near future, the sale of goods from the capital's manufacturers may begin. They will be highlighted using the Made in Moscow logo.

In his message, Alexey Fursin noted that if this project shows good economic results (a high percentage of sales of goods), the Moscow authorities will gradually expand the list of Russian companies whose products will be supplied to these outlets. The next stage of the program will be the placement of goods with the Made in Moscow logo at the capital's airports — Sheremetyevo and others. If everything goes smoothly here, the authorities plan to introduce goods from Moscow manufacturers to international Duty Free networks located in other countries and megacities, at least in catalog mode.

Alexey Fursin also said that the total number of applications for participation in this program is more than 120 pieces. The official said: 20 of the most interesting and promising companies will be selected from this entire array, which in 2021 will have the opportunity to place their products in the Duty Free outlets of Sheremetyevo Airport. The main assortment will be cosmetic products, souvenirs, as well as confectionery.

The selection procedures are handled by the Moscow Export Center, an institution created specifically to support the capital's entrepreneurs engaged in foreign trade activities. Its work is supervised by the Moscow Department of Business and Innovative Development. One of the key tasks of the institution is to increase the number of Moscow exporters and provide comprehensive assistance in the development of their foreign economic activity. Employees of the center help businessmen to draw up papers for subsidies and grants, open free accounts on major international marketplaces, conduct individual studies of foreign markets, look for potential buyers, and implement other support measures.

According to Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, the placement of goods of the capital manufacturer in Duty Free zones indicates that its products are of high quality. Entrepreneurs will get a double benefit from such cooperation at all: in addition to developing new sales channels and increasing revenue, placing goods on Duty Free sites will help to effectively promote them from a marketing point of view, increase brand awareness.

According to the official, due to the fact that foreign businessmen constantly use the services of the capital's airports, the brands of the capital's manufacturers will become more popular on the international market. Perhaps some of the foreign entrepreneurs will even want to conclude new trade contracts with Moscow companies.

We remind you that applications for participation in the new project could be submitted until December 15, 2020 on the MET portal. One of the mandatory conditions was that businessmen had state registration as an individual entrepreneur or a legal entity for at least six months prior to the filing date. In addition, all participants of the project had to be Moscow taxpayers and not have debts on mandatory fees to the budget. Moscow manufacturers selling one of the five groups of goods could apply for the sale of their goods through Duty Free stores:

- jewelry;

- alcoholic beverages;

- confectionery products;

- cosmetic products and products;

- souvenirs.

Manufacturers of some categories of goods additionally had to submit to the IEC a certificate confirming the compliance of their products with the established requirements.

It is reported that the MET will assume all the costs of placing goods of the capital's manufacturers in Duty Free stores during 2021. The shopping areas where these products will be located will be allocated with the help of a special design, and specially trained promoters will present Moscow brands to foreign guests.

Alexey Fursin noted that Duty Free outlets offer a wide range of high-quality goods that can be made even more accessible to the buyer thanks to the duty-free trade regime. In such stores, it is often possible to purchase the latest novelties of products of various product groups.

In addition to the MET, specialized centers that provide comprehensive support in the development of the capital's industrial export system help entrepreneurs enter the international market and master new areas of foreign economic trade. In addition to working with entrepreneurs, the center's specialists are engaged in their own research. They analyze existing foreign economic markets, as well as work out new directions of international trade.

Also, as part of the development of export activities in the capital, digital platforms are being created for domestic producers focused on international markets.