A Eulogy for Geoff Shelton

Posted in: Russian culture
My bond with Geoff lay on the not so distant shores of Russia, and most of our time together involved Russia in some way or another. Whilst I have come to love that country over the course of just 34 years, Geoff’s love for Russia and for the Russian people stemmed from experiences forged 40 … Continued

Technical Regulations

The main commodity groups are: TR CU 001/2011 on the safety of railway rolling stockTR CU 002/2011 on the safety of high-speed rail transportTR CU 003/2011 on the safety of rail infrastructureTR CU 004/2011 on the safety of low voltage equipmentTR CU 005/2011 on the safety of the packagingTR CU 006/2011 on the safety of … Continued

Russia is turning the economic corner

According to London-based hotel industry research specialists, STR, the hotel pipeline in Russia is looking positively healthy, with more than 8000 new rooms across 42 projects. A growing economy, increased tourism numbers, Russia’s hosting of this year’s football Confederations Cup and the FIFA World Cup 2018, have all provided new opportunities for international hotel chains. … Continued

Export survey is positive for Global Trade

Posted in: Intelligence
Despite a myriad of political risks – fears of a growing protectionist agenda in the United States, whether national elections across Europe upset the status quo and Britain’s potentially fractious divorce proceedings from the European Union – the Institute’s recent Export Optimism survey showed a strong energy for growth, with 97% of respondents expressing optimism … Continued

It’s not cold!

Posted in: Russian culture
One word: Babushki. The translation “grandmother” doesn’t really cover this. She is so much more than that. Babushka is a formidable figure, and one not usually to be argued with. Plus, they make soup. Anyway, I digress. Years ago, I had a Russian wife And with that wife, which I hadn’t really considered before, came … Continued

Business in St Petersburg

I hope this is useful information for anybody planning a business trip to this beautiful city. Firstly, St. Petersburg is the polar opposite of Moscow! People live more quietly, somehow more measured! Those who visit Saint Petersburg may feel there are certain similarities between the city and London. Not in appearance, but in the pace … Continued

Russia: Fact or Fiction?

Much has been written about Russia in recent years. Stop and think what you have seen. Has it been positive? Political posturing, mafia, poisoning, shooting, corruption, non payment, expense, delays, grinding poverty, bureaucracy, blizzards, archaic industry, alcoholism, rude behaviour, suicide, nouveau riche, lack of democracy, lack of infrastructure. The list goes on. And on…  So … Continued

Tim Peake: Rocket rolled to launch pad

Posted in: Russian culture
At 01:00 GMT (07:00 local time), the Soyuz launcher was rolled out on its flat-bed transporter for the 2km train journey to the pad. The train took almost two hours to reach the pad, known as Site No 1. Mr Peake will be accompanied by American Tim Kopra and Russian Yuri Malenchenko on Tuesday’s flight … Continued

Tips for exporting to Russia

RBCC The Russo-British Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organisation that has worked to promote trade and cooperation between the UK and Russia since 1916, helping companies in both countries find trading partners and representing the interests of all its member companies. RBCC offers a series of high-level networking events that provide an effective platform for making … Continued