Talks with Russians could aid businesses (From Malvern Gazette)

Talks with Russians could aid businesses

5:10pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News By Tom Edwards

NEW trade opportunities are about to open up between county businesses and Russia.

Harriett Baldwin has held a day of high-level talks with leading members of the Russian government and says Worcestershire is well placed to benefit from it.

Mrs Baldwin, who represents West Worcestershire, said the county could only gain from the interest shown in our businesses.

A delegation from Russia visited Malvern’s historic Morgan Motor Company on Friday to tour the premises as part of their whistlestop tour.

They also held talks with bosses at the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) about trading opportunities.

Alexander Smekalin, Russia’s economy minister and Sergey Morozov, the governor of Ulyanovsk, a city in the country’s north-east region with a population of 613,000, took part in the trip.

One of the things on their future agenda will be looking at ways to increase flights to and from Birmingham International Airport.

Plans will also be put in place for a group of business leaders from Worcestershire to head over to Russia during the coming months to deepen the fledgling relationship.

Mrs Baldwin said: “I was very pleased at the way our guests took the time to visit Worcestershire and meet with our business community.

“Minister Smekalin made a very compelling presentation about the region and it is clear they want to do business with us. I am confident that deals will emerge from this event.

“They were also keen to work with Birmingham’s airport to open up more flights to the region and I hope we will be able to take our own business delegation to Ulyanovsk to make further progress.

“Russia is one of the world’s fastest growing economies and I am doing all I can to help our local businesses to be in a position to exploit these clear trade opportunities.”