Know the language

Representing Russian business at the trade bridge was Dr Nandi Mansumang, who stressed the multiple ways the Free State could benefit from its relationship with Russia in such sectors as oil, gas, mining and infrastructure development.

“The Russian-South African business council has a database of the various South African businesses with the Black Business Council. Reach out to them and we will assist in terms of matching businesses together,” she said.

“I also urge you to get to know the language of your partners so that it is easier to deal with them. Exchanging students is very good and there are some wonderful programmes in medicine and science, for example.

“Some of us are born and bred in Russia and the country is not foreign to us. There is the opportunity to bridge the gap and the Free State also presents many opportunities in the agricultural sector, with Russia able to provide state-of-the-art equipment, fertilisers and more.”