Member Article

Gateway to Russia for North East firms

A market visit to Russia’s ‘City of the Tsars’ has opened up a host of new opportunities for North East firms. A small delegation led by UK Trade & Investment visited St Petersburg earlier this year to explore business opportunities in Russia.

John Armstrong, one of UK Trade & Investment’s International Trade Advisers, said: “There is a lot of interest in Russia as a potential market, but companies may often be put off by the difficulties they may face. “The success of this latest visit to St Petersburg and the companies who took part proves it’s well worth making the effort.”

Mr Armstrong said that the delegation’s small size generated “team spirit and optimism” and that staff in St Petersburg were very supportive, giving targeted one-to-one advice to each of the delegates. He continued: “A market visit is an ideal first step into a new market and UK Trade & Investment can offer advice and support every step of the way, while travelling with a group of like-minded people offers the chance to share experiences and expertise. We don’t always find that a company secures an order following their first market visit, but it’s great that this one has been such a success.”

To find out more about the market visit programme contact the North East International Trade Hotline on 0845 05 05 054 or e-mail enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .