On 13 October 2026, the Russia-ASEAN Business Council hosted a working meeting between senior executives of major Russian companies and the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn. The Secretary-General visited Russia as part of the programme of events marking the 35th anniversary of Russia-ASEAN relations.

In his welcoming remarks, Ivan Polyakov, Chairman of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, noted the exceptional importance of the Secretary-General's meeting with the Russian business community and stressed the need to further intensify trade and economic ties between Russia and ASEAN.

Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn provided the Russian business representatives with up-to-date information on the investment climate and business opportunities in ASEAN countries.

During the working meeting, participants engaged in an active discussion on the prospects for developing business cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries. The parties exchanged views on possible ways to further expand trade and investment, particularly in such areas as energy, food security and agriculture, supply chain development, digital transformation, tourism and sports. Cooperation in education and science was discussed separately. In addition, the parties discussed measures to strengthen engagement with the private sector – through more regular business missions, organizing meetings between business representatives and forming investment partnerships–in order to achieve concrete commercial results in ASEAN-Russia relations.

The Russian side also presented promising projects for implementation in ASEAN countries. Participants exchanged views on removing obstacles in trade and economic relations and deepening direct dialogue between the business leaders of Russia and ASEAN.