A DEVON TRADE VISIT TO RUSSIA PLANNED
Linda Middleton Jones, managing director of International Trade Matters
A TRADE visit to the Russian city of Novorossiysk is being planned in May – where a group of Devon business leaders are looking to drum up new export opportunities.
International Trade Matters (ITM), and Devon Chamber representatives are looking to increase business and exporting links with the Black Sea port, which has been twinned with Plymouth since 1956.
Linda Middleton Jones, managing director of International Trade Matters, said: “Delegates from Plymouth and across Devon are looking to take part in a trade visit and we are looking at many sectors of interest from the creative industry, media, IT, cosmetic, educational, English language learning, agricultural sector, manufacturing, tourism, retail, and especially developing further commercial partnerships and links,” she said.
As part of the planned visit by Devon business leaders in May, a special workshop session was organised in London by the Institute of Export (IOE) entitled ‘Russia Without Tears’ that looked in more detail at British companies wanting to export in the Russian market.
Over 10 delegates from Plymouth and across the UK attended the seminar and investigated the challenges of choosing the right partners and agents, group discussions, video conferences with business leaders from Moscow and St Petersburg, and talking about the commercial risks. The day ended with Russian food and Vodka tasting, said Kevin Kelway, managing director of Plymouth based Dorcas Media.
Brook Horowitz, chief executive of Culture of Business talking to seminar delegates, and the day ended with Russian food and Vodka tasting
Mr Kelway, also a member of the Devon Chamber, said: “I attended the one day seminar to understand more about the Russian market place, and exporting opportunities in Russia. But also measure the challenges I might find in working with partners and companies in Novorossiysk.”
“My company is looking to work with businesses and organisations in Southern Russia, and especially helping to support our commercial, trading, and cultural links with Plymouth’s twinning city of Novorossiysk post Brexit,” he said.
Brook Horowitz, chief executive of Culture of Business, who delivered the workshop, said: “There are many business and cultural changes going on in Russia and I have focused on this market for the last 30 years.”
Mr Horowitz, added: “The Russia market place is complex, but can be a good place to do business – if you choose the right partners,” he said.
Anyone looking for more information about the trade visit to Novorossiysk can email: linda@middleton-jones.com or www.internationaltradematters.com