International cooperation and integration of the SMES sector: trends and prospects of post-pandemic development

The pandemic crisis has had a strong negative impact on small and medium-sized businesses in Russia. Economic restrictions and a ban on business activities have led to mass insolvency and bankruptcy among small and medium-sized enterprises. The rebound in business activity could be very long, against a backdrop of shrinking incomes. By pursuing a cooperative and integrative interest in developing international business partnerships, the business entities will be able to minimize the risks caused by declining demand in the domestic market. Based on an assessment of trends in foreign trade activities during the COVID-19 crisis, the paper identifies forms of integration and cooperation alliances recommended for implementation to enhance the export potential of small and medium businesses in post-pandemic development. International co-operation and integration of SMEs in the form of transnational clustering, within special economic zones, as part of resident technoparks, in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, or through transnational electronic co-operation, have been identified as prospects for boosting exports in Russia.