Hong Kong's first five-year plan for economic and social development and the 2026 Policy Address were unveiled on Sept. 16, setting out plans to consolidate the city's status as an international financial, trade, and maritime center and an international aviation hub, while further leveraging its role as a link between the Chinese mainland and global markets. On the same day, the Russian Export Center (REC) was hosting its first "Made in Russia" consumer goods business mission in HK, bringing 12 Russian companies to the city to seek business partnerships and explore opportunities to expand into the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asian markets.
Held on Sept. 15 and 16, the business mission brought together 12 Russian companies from Moscow and regions including Smolensk, Lipetsk, and Yaroslavl. The participating companies cover a range of sectors, including food and consumer goods. Through direct B2B meetings, the event aimed to help Russian companies connect with partners in HK and across Asia and expand their export channels.
Russian companies see HK as a 'window' to mainland Southeast Asia.
Evgeny Bazhov, head of the Russian Export Center's China representative office, said it was the first visit to HK for the REC and most of the participating companies. Describing HK as a "very vibrant" market, he said the city is not only an important commercial center but also an "open window" to the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia.
"That's the main reason why we bring Russian companies and the Made in Russia brand to HK," Bazhov said.
He said the delegation wanted to experience the local market firsthand and explore further opportunities for Russian companies in HK. Russian products, he added, offer high quality and competitive prices, encouraging Hong Kong businesses to remain open to new opportunities for cooperation.
For Russian brands, HK also offers an opportunity to build market recognition.
Vera Nikitina, export manager of Belevskaya Pastila LLC, said the company had only recently started supplying HK and was now looking for local partners. It has already begun working with a Russian store in HK.
Based on the company's experience so far, local consumers appear to enjoy the taste of its products, she said. However, more promotion is needed as the brand and its products remain relatively unfamiliar to HK consumers.
Nikitina said the products are made with natural ingredients and positioned as high-quality goods, which also means they come at a relatively higher price. Building consumer trust is therefore important, she said.
She added that HK's position as a business center in Asia could also help Russian brands establish a reputation in the region. If a product can build recognition and a positive reputation in HK, it may help strengthen consumers' confidence in the brand in other Asian markets.
Kirill Evtushenko, director of strategic development at Legend of Kremlin Vodka, said his company already has operations in HK and the Chinese mainland and that he frequently visits HK for business. However, this was his first time taking part in a "Made in Russia" event.
The company is looking for long-term partners in HK and sees the city as a potential springboard for further expansion into Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore, he said.
"For us, HK and the partners here are highly valuable," he said.
Russian firms seek local partners, with logistics and distribution key to expansion.
Beyond finding buyers, logistics, distribution, and warehousing are also among the practical issues Russian companies are looking to address as they expand in HK.
Evtushenko said the company is currently seeking logistics companies and distributors, as well as exploring warehousing facilities in HK. He said many local consumers are already interested in the company's products, but supplies remain limited in the market.
"The first thing we need to solve is the logistics of bringing our products into HK," he said.
From the buyer's perspective, Zuo Le, general manager of mainland imported food supermarket chain EPINDUO, was invited by the Russian Export Center to meet with Russian exporters. His company mainly deals in Russian and Eastern European food products.
Zuo said Russian companies had improved in terms of business practices and fulfillment in recent years, although mainland and HK companies should still exercise caution when doing business with Russian firms.
He also described HK as an important bridge connecting the country with the rest of the world, saying its importance could grow further as Russian companies seek new overseas markets.
"HK has been, is, and will continue to be a gateway connecting its motherland with the world," Zuo said.
(Reported by Zoey Sun & Felicia Li)
Comment