Christophe Alves joins TBK Consult in Russia

MOSCOW, Russian Federation - Dec. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Russia is no longer Churchill’s “riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma” but a market that is continually moving. In comparison with the EU zone, Russia is on pace to grow faster (3.4% according to the finance ministry (http://en.rian.ru/business/20120515/173468916.html), 4% according to the IMF), with a much lower unemployment rate (6.5% for 2012 as a whole), a much smaller budget deficit (as little as 0.1% (http://en.rian.ru/business/20120424/173007466.html), as much as 1.5%), and a much smaller overall level of public indebtedness (around 7-8% (http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/01/daily-chart-8)). This economic expansion is driving development of industrial infrastructure, which in turn is supporting primary industry and international expansion.

This is having a significant impact on ICT market growth and Cloud-based services. That’s the reason why “Russia has become one of the top SAP revenue growth generators” according to SAP co-CEO Bill McDermott. In addition, the B2C IT market is growing fast as a result of the lifestyle choices made by thelocal population. As a matter of fact, in 2013 Russia became the number one ecommerce market in Europe.

“Russia is the closest of the BRICs markets and an ideal first equipment market for European based software-driven companies looking to expand their business internationally, either directly with or through IT Service Providers," says Christophe Alves, Executive Partner with TBK Consult in Moscow. "Moreover Russia has a tradition of high quality software development and a outstanding tradition in the polytechnic education system. TBK Consult, with its methodology, tools and its' partner network, will play a significant role in developing the exchange of software knowledge, services and products on both sides, from Russia to Europe and from Europe to Russia."

While Russia is among the top 10 economies of the world, the Russian ICT market represents just 2% of the world ICT market and is still less developed in comparison with Western Europe. There are still impressive opportunities for an overhaul in IT, both in infrastructure and application space and especially in the field of corporate software applications. That’s the reason why the combined revenues of the Russian IT sector will reach RUB 887bn ($29bn), comprising 4% of GDP. Indeed, the IT market will exceed the GDP growth rate in Russia in 2013 – with an 18.1 % increase forecasted.

Last but not least, hardware products form more than half of the Russian IT market. Software products show the biggest potential growth; 70% of software products in Russia are imported.

“We are very pleased to have Christophe join the TBK Partner network”, says Hans Peter Bech, Group CEO of TBK Consult. “Christophe brings over 10 years of experience with sales, operations and business development management in EMEA, supporting European based software vendors’ expansion in Russia as well as his entrepreneurial expertise in co-founding Solution2Markets and driving its growth. Christophe will strengthen our position in Russia as well as in France, due to his experience, and will be instrumental in helping our clients achieve fast traction in these attractive and important markets.”