Business associations are associations of entrepreneurs, firms, corporations in order to achieve common interests (for example, sharing new ideas and approaches in promoting a business, simplifying interaction with government, exchanging methods for coordinating and managing a business, and so on). The emergence of associations in the business sector improves the relationship between entrepreneurs, moving them from competitors to associates and associates.
History of business associations
The role of business associations in antiquity was played by associations of small artisans in ancient times, caravans in the Middle Ages, guilds, workshops and corporations during the industrial-capitalist boom.
At present, business associations are commercial and industrial associations, chambers of commerce, federations of producers of goods, and professional groups.
Formation of business associations in Russia
In Russia, the desire for unification acquired a mass character since the birth of capitalism. All kinds of associations were popular among manufacturers, entrepreneurs, traders, breeders, bankers.
At the beginning of the 19th century, there were about 160 associations in the business sector in Russia.
In the mid-20th century, the growth of business associations slowed as entrepreneurship was outlawed and was considered speculative activity.
In a market economy, associations (associations) in Russia began to arise again. One of the largest modern business associations in Russia is the Association of European Businesses (AEB).
Modern association
The Association of European Businesses is a non-profit organization, it consists of enterprises and entrepreneurs from EU countries and member states of the European Free Trade Association . All AEB members conduct entrepreneurial, commercial, and investment activities in Russia and directly from the Russian Federation. The Association of European Businesses (AEB) is funded through sponsorship and membership fees.
AEB in Russia
The Association of European Businesses in Russia was founded in 1995, at present AEB unites more than 500 Russian and European companies, multinational corporations, firms and enterprises of medium and small business.
The goals of the Association are to strengthen economic, business, financial, commercial relations between the EU member states and Russia.
Composition of the Association of European Businesses
About 45 working groups and committees operate in the Association; they study and analyze issues in various fields of business (energy, customs and transport, air transportation, legislation, taxation). The committees closely cooperate and interact with European and Russian public authorities, comment, give recommendations, and propose changes to the draft laws of the Russian Federation. Through the print media and website, the Association provides information support to all its members.
On the territory of Russia, AEB has two structural divisions - in St. Petersburg and Krasnodar.
AEB and US Sanctions Policy on Russia
In recent years, the United States has been pursuing an active policy of sanctions and restrictions against the Russian Federation. The Association of European Businesses does not support US sanctions against Russia. According to AEB, sanctions and restrictions in the financial sphere freeze business activity, entail a reduction in industrial production and, as a result, a reduction in jobs and a deterioration in the quality and living conditions of the population. The US sanctions policy not only negatively affects the business climate of Russia, the EU and the USA, but also affects the interests of European companies in the energy sector. The earliest political understanding, in the opinion of AEB, is beneficial to all interested parties.