Riding the China Russia "trade express" Ningbo's "proximity" and "entry"

Our automotive repair business started in Russia and is now radiating to the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The hotter the trade ties between China and Russia, the less worry we have about expanding our automotive aftermarket business. "Huo Qinggong, director of Zhejiang Yanbao Technology Group and CEO of Luban Car Maintenance, urged the landing and renovation of Luban Car Maintenance Service Stations while exploring more opportunities in the Russian market.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China Russia strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between China and Russia. The interaction between the heads of state of China and Russia has attracted the attention of the whole world, and also affects the development ideas and trade direction of foreign trade personnel in Ningbo.
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Commerce, the China Russia "trade express" has surpassed the $200 billion mark for three consecutive years, and China has maintained its position as Russia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. According to statistics from Ningbo Customs, the total import and export volume of Ningbo Port to Russia reached 17.04 billion yuan in the first four months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 22%.
How can Ningbo seize more opportunities on this' fast train '?
Approaching demand, Ningbo goods are exported to overseas markets
To do business with Russia, we need to first understand what we have and what they want. Ningbo Younaite Import and Export Co., Ltd. is well versed in this matter.
This Ningbo head lighting product exporter specializes in LED lamps, indoor and outdoor lighting, photovoltaic smart lighting, and small home appliances. In 1996, it opened up the Russian market with the help of the Canton Fair. We are in contact with top local enterprises in Russia to customize and develop products according to customer needs. With high cost-effectiveness and stable quality, we have received high praise from customers, "said Bi Wenjun, the general manager of the company. The company is expanding its product categories such as electrical appliances and is expected to achieve a 10% increase in exports to Russia this year.
it happens that there is a similar case.
Ningbo Fujue Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. holds over 100 patents and optimizes product functions and adaptation standards based on local demand. It focuses on the Russian market and has exported over 14 million yuan to Russia in the first four months of this year, more than doubling year-on-year;
Ningbo Jiale Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. has collaborated with brand clients to design and launch air fryers suitable for Russian consumers. In the first four months of this year, more than 200000 units have been exported, with a value of 46.7 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of three times
It is not difficult to find that Ningbo enterprises with good performance in exporting consumer goods to Russia are rooted in innovation and deeply rooted in demand.
The supply chain of light industry industries such as household consumer goods, high-end consumer brands in all categories, and new trade channels such as cross-border e-commerce are all key areas for development in Russia, and they happen to be opportunities for Ningbo.
How to firmly seize this opportunity? Ningbo has chosen to innovate in its business model, leverage the opportunity to explore emerging markets, and enhance its resilience in foreign trade.
For example, in terms of self organized exhibitions, in 2024, Ningbo took the lead in organizing the "Consumer Expo" in Russia on a city by city basis nationwide, and has held three sessions so far, with a cumulative intention of orders exceeding 1 billion yuan;
For example, in terms of emerging business formats, Ningbo has taken the lead in setting up offline physical platforms such as product display and exhibition centers and Cixi Youpin Hall in Russia, and has also opened up online sales channels to Russia, attracting large local e-commerce platforms to land and layout in Russia.
Entering the industry and filling in weak links
Many experts and industry insiders have suggested that in order to enter the industry, it is advisable to have a broad vision.
Especially compared to two or three years ago, the shortage of some goods in Russia has narrowed, and trade demand is changing. Ningbo still has a lot of work to do in order to further upgrade its trade cooperation model.
In the view of Xie Wenkai, Director of the Russia Central Asia Research Center at the Ningbo Maritime Silk Road Research Institute, it is necessary to upgrade cooperation with Russia from "opportunity based growth" to "systematic carrying" in order to seize more opportunities in the current Sino Russian trade "ride the wave".
Ningbo can leverage the construction of the 'Ice Silk Road' to build a new integrated pattern of economy, trade, and shipping. For example, it can strengthen the level of foreign trade entities, accelerate the creation of the 'Ningbo Russia Digital Trade Industry Chain', improve the Arctic shipping service system, and develop polar ship management and insurance services, "said Xie Wenkai.
The relevant person in charge of the Ningbo Chamber of Commerce of the China International Chamber of Commerce believes that Ningbo still needs to leverage its strengths and avoid weaknesses, make precise layouts, and develop in a differentiated manner.
Ningbo can fully leverage its advantages in port logistics, relying on multiple ocean routes, sea rail intermodal transportation, and new Arctic shipping channels to facilitate the entry and distribution of Russian goods. At the same time, relying on the advantages of characteristic industries such as small household appliances and hardware products, it can seize the opportunity of upgrading Russian people's livelihood consumption and firmly occupy the mainstream market of civilian consumer goods, "said the person in charge.
He suggested avoiding the shortcomings of traditional extensive trade models, vigorously developing new formats such as cross-border e-commerce with Russia, overseas exhibitions and sales, and precise production and sales docking, relying on digital trade to expand sales channels, and relying on local sister city exchange platforms to strengthen market research and compliance management, and fill in weak links such as professional services with Russia and local market adaptation.