A MARKETING and management consultancy based in Blackburn is forging links with businesses in the former Soviet Union.

Kielder Newport West, based in the Daisyfield Business Centre, recently played host to Victor Danko, who owns a business consultancy in the Samara region of Russia and Gulnara Bekieva, a marketing consultant from Turkmenistan.

The pair stayed with Kielder Newport West for a fortnight and visited their clients in East Lancashire.

The Blackburn company has already assisted the first Russian company to go public in the UK and have provided a feasibility study for the acquisition of a Ukrainian steel mill.

Mission aims to boost trade

A TRADE mission from East Lancashire to Moscow is set to take off.

The Chamber of Commerce is organising the five day mission for late March or early April to help firms break into the huge Russian market.

A fluent Russian-speaking export sales professional will be on hand to assist companies on the mission and research to identify useful contacts will be available before the mission leaves.

Small companies employing less than 250 people may be able to get a 50 per cent subsidy worth about £500 towards the cost of the mission.

A seminar is being organised on March 6 to highlight potential business opportunities.

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