Russia remains an attractive target for exporters and investors, with favourable cross-sector opportunities, some unique in scale. The government’s economy modernisation and infrastructure development agenda, underpinned by 140mln consumer’s appetite for quality services and goods produces a need for international expertise and products.

With its rich natural resources, a well-educated workforce and a reforming industrial base Russia has the potential for substantial future growth.

Russia is the largest country in the world with a population of 142 million people. It is the eighth largest retail market in the world and the fourth-largest market in Europe. Despite slowing growth, and reduced public and private investment programmes, opportunities do remain due to the Russian oil and gas boom.

Russia remains a long term market of great potential for British exporters and investors. UK-Russia economic relations remain strong. Russia is now the UK's twelfth largest export market and UK exports of goods to Russia were valued £2.4b in 2009. The UK accounts for 2% of Russian imports.

What are the opportunities?
Western goods and expertise remain in demand. The most promising opportunities for UK companies are in the Advanced Engineering, Financial Services, ICT, Power/Energy, Sports & Leisure Infrastructure (particularly the Sochi 2014 Winter Oympics), Airports, Construction, Creative Industries, Rail and Water.