Irish Trade Mission to Russia

This is the first ever visit to Russia by an Irish President, and is the most high profile trade mission in over a decade. The mission aim is twofold; to introduce Irish companies entering the Russian market to potential partners and customers, and to assist existing exporters to Russia to consolidate relationships with their partners and expand their market footprint into Russia’s regions.

Enterprise Ireland is hosting a Trade Mission to Russia, which will be led by The President, Ms Mary McAleese and will include events in Moscow and St. Petersburg from Monday 6th – Thursday, 9th September 2010.

While not immune to the global downturn, Russia has swiftly emerged from recession and is forecast to experience a healthy 4.5% GDP growth rate in 2010. In parallel, the Russian rouble has strengthened by over 30% against the Euro in 2010, restoring Russia’s insatiable appetite for imported products. In fundamental terms the Russian economy remains the 11th largest in the world and is the country with the world’s third largest foreign currency reserves. Russia periodically surpasses Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer and maintains the world’s largest natural gas reserves, and is a crucial European energy supplier, as well as major supplier of metals and materials.

Significantly for Irish exporters, Russia has comparatively low levels of diversification of local industry creating a reliance on imported goods. Russia still remains the destination of choice for foreign retailers seeking to participate in what will be Europe’s largest consumer market by the mid 2010s. In contrast to many other countries, post crisis Russia is not saddled with high volumes of household and personal debt and the Russian consumer retains a high propensity to spend. By any statistical measure, from car sales to the development of coffee house chains, Russia is an economy that is clearly worthy of attention. If you have not been to Russia over the past few years, you may have some outdated perceptions of the market.

To coincide with the Mission Irish Shipping & Transport Ltd; have announced that they have been appointed as Liner Agents in Ireland for DELTA SHIPPING LINE, who have services to - from Dublin / St. Petersburg via Rotterdam.

The service reflects 2 sailings per week in both directions Rotterdam / St. Petersburg / Rotterdam utilising 40' Dry & 40' Refrigerated Containers.

For quotations please kindly contact the John Hayes on 01 8774000 jhayes@irishshipping.com or Vivienne Hart vhart@irishshipping.com

If you need help with entry into the Russian market you may contact Mr. Mike Hogan who is the Enterprise Ireland Manager in Moscow for Russia and the CIS. Email:Mike.hogan@enterprise-ireland.com