Five Welsh companies take part in Russia trade mission
Five Welsh firms are taking part a trade mission to make further inroads into Russia.
Aber Instruments, Aberystwyth, Licentia Group and myPinPad from Cardiff Bay, Weartech International, Port Talbot and Teddington Engineered Solutions, Llanelli will be represented in Moscow.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart explored trade links with Russia in a visit last year.
That highlighted the potential of the Russian market for Wales, she said.
Mrs Hart said: "During my visit last year when I travelled with representatives from five Wales-based companies I attended a number of high-level meetings and held discussions with the British ambassador, his key staff and representatives from trade bodies, both British and Russian.
"It highlighted the potential of the Russian market for Wales and I am pleased the Welsh government is supporting this mission to help businesses either expand into Russia or explore the potential market."
Four of the companies already have trade links with Russia.
But the Welsh government has helped Teddington which is new to the market research business opportunities there.
It is seeking local agents and distributors in Russia and wants to introduce their products and services to oil, gas and power companies.
Commercial manager Jason Thomas said: "Teddington is really looking forward to exploring the opportunities that Russia has to offer."
Weartech International, which makes wear-resistant alloys that extend the life of industrial equipment wants to increase market penetration in Russia.
Managing director David Estall said: "As a business relatively experienced in European trade, with staff who are fluent in most major European languages, Welsh government trade missions have been most useful to us in those markets with more significant cultural and linguistic barriers.
"The access to in-market experts can be particularly useful and travelling with other like-minded business people is often very rewarding."
Aber Instruments which has developed monitors for the pharmaceutical and brewing industries has a busy schedule in Russia.
David Anderson, the firm's European sales manager, said he will be visiting two breweries who already have their equipment install and discussing a new sale with a potential client.
"I will be signing up a new distributor for Aber biotech instrumentation and visiting a number of companies who specialise in biopharmaceutical research, process development and production."