Talks on business in Russia

Apr 30 2008 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD will host a conference on doing business in Russia.

The university’s Russian British Business Centre is staging the one-day event next month at the Galpharm Stadium.

The event, on June 20, will feature expert speakers from the centre, the Confederation of British Industry and the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce.

Discussions will cover topics including travel, tax planning, recruitment, freight and customs, legal issues and training.

Dr Evgeny Polyakov, who heads the centre at the university, said trade between the UK and Russia had risen in recent years and was expected to continue to grow.

Exports to Russia totalled a record £2.8bn last year – up 36% on 2006 – making Russia the 16th biggest market for UK exports.

Typically, products exported to Russia include machinery, chemicals, rubber, food and farming materials.

Dr Polyakov said: “Russia has a high potential for substantial long-term growth. With the election of a new president, there are high expectations for the introduction of a range of institutional and economic reforms necessary to complete the transition towards economic and political stability.

“Enormous opportunities exist for companies in Yorkshire – whether it’s a small company interested in exploring opportunities in Russia or a large company with existing expertise in global production and trade.”