The high dependence on oil in Russia must be reduced and therefore energy-savings are required. Within this area, Swedish companies have many business opportunities because the Swedes have expertise in energy.
Another good opportunity for Swedish companies is the labor-intensive activities in the east that require more machines to cope with competition from for example Bulgaria, where wages are much lower.
St. Petersburg, which is one of Russia's business centers has not yet been seriously affected by financial crisis and is well positioned compared with other regions in Russia, mainly because of the many industries that operate in the region and the number of education opportunities.
The region has also worked hard to attract foreign investors and has contributed significant resources to expand the city's infrastructure. They have also developed special economic zones with different benefits for businesses that choose to locate in the region for long-term establishments.
The region also has advantages with its strategic location and accessibility to a large well-trained workforce. Moreover, it is easy and quick to travel to St. Petersburg and the city is an important gateway to the Russian market. Therefore, there are good opportunities for Swedish companies in Russia right now.
Tony Harkén