Member Article

North East firms take first "steppe" into Russia

Almost 70 North East firms have taken their first “steppe” into Russia by taking part in a seminar organised by UK Trade & Investment.

More than 100 delegates from across the region attended the “Steppe into Russia” event at The Baltic, Gateshead to find out about the business opportunities available in the Russian market.

David Coppock, UK Trade & Investment’s International Trade Director, who chaired the conference, said: “It’s been a fantastic event and we’re delighted so many delegates took the time to come and join us. The UK is a lead investor in this market and we aim to make sure North East companies are in a position to benefit from the significant business opportunities available.”

Chris Bowers, UK Trade & Investment Director at the British Embassy in Moscow, was one of the key speakers at the event. He said: “The important thing is not to worry about the politics. Russia has been in the news in the past for all the wrong reasons but people should not lose sight of the fact that there are tremendous business opportunities, which are growing, along with the strength of the economic and trade relationships that already exist between our two countries.”

Other guest speakers during the conference included: Stephen Dalziel of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce and David Cant, of Albion (Overseas) Ltd; David Hammal and Alexey Blyi, of PricewaterhouseCooper and Doug Dooley, of Thermal Resource Management, a local company that is already doing business in Russia.

UK Trade & Investment aims to offer further support for companies aiming to break into the Russian market and will be hosting a series of workshops in May and June followed by a Market Visit to Russia in October.

For more information about these events email enquiries@ukti.rito.co.uk.

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