A “Russian street” – a free trade area for Russian businesses — will be created in the Chinese border city of Suifenhe by the end of 2016 to attract companies from Russia, an official from the city administration’s Office of Market Surveillance, Yang Tintin, told Sputnik Tuesday.
“Since Suifenhe borders the Primorsky Territory of Russia, it was decided to create such a street here. The aim is to attract Russian businesses to trade in traditional goods, which will create a kind of a Russian cluster here. This, in turn, will enhance the international status of the city, will help to attract more foreign visitors and will enhance the city’s economic and social development,” Yang said.
The location of the “cluster” has already been determined, the official said. Bars and cafes as well as a bakery are planned to be built in the area.
According to Yang, Russian entrepreneurs will be exempt from paying rent. Later in March, representatives of the Russian business from the Russian Far East are expected to visit Suifenhe to discuss specific business plans.
“The relevant authorities will support the registration of licenses and certificates, as well as providing all necessary consulting services,” Yang added.
Suifenhe is a city in northeast China. There is a border road between the city and the Russian border town of Pogranichny. Suifenhe is estimated to have a population of 2.8 million people.