Across China: Russian entrepreneur finds her best era for entrepreneurship in China

TIANJIN, May 12 (Xinhua) -- In her office located at the Tianjin Pilot Free Trade Zone, 36-year-old Russian entrepreneur Svetlana Olkhovikova, dressed in a cream-colored suit, gently sipped a matcha latte while checking orders from her business partners in Russia and Uzbekistan.

Leveraging her excellent communication skills and experience in international trade, she has established two foreign trade companies in north China's port city of Tianjin.

In September 2023, she founded a company focusing on exporting agricultural machinery. In March 2024, she launched another one specializing in the cross-border trade of medical devices, equipment and accessories.

The two companies have already built partnerships with enterprises in over 20 countries and regions, including Russia, Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea, said Olkhovikova in fluent Chinese.

"In China, I've found the best era for entrepreneurship," she remarked with deep emotion. From selecting a company location and registering her business to renewing her work visa and even arranging bank account setups, she was repeatedly impressed by the local government's combination of administrative efficiency and human-centered policies.

As a foreign entrepreneur in China, Olkhovikova faced challenges such as learning local laws and tax regulations. However, the "nanny-style" support from government agencies gave her a strong sense of reassurance.

"My grandfather used to say that the warmth of the Chinese people is like an ever-burning fire. Now that I'm building my career in Tianjin, I realize this isn't an exaggeration -- it's truly the warmth I feel every day," she said.

Olkhovikova's decision to start her business in China was driven not only by its excellent business environment but also by its vast domestic market, highly efficient industrial and supply chains, and continuously improving innovation ecosystem.

"The Chinese market is enormous. Many products manufactured here are increasingly in demand overseas, offering countless opportunities for people around the globe," said Olkhovikova, who has gained a deeper understanding of China's economic development through her entrepreneurial journey.

She also expressed confidence in Chinese-made products. "Our collaborations with Chinese companies have been exceptionally smooth. They are pragmatic and efficient, offering high-quality, cost-effective goods that can also be customized. This reflects China's robust manufacturing capabilities and high level of specialization," she said with optimism about doing business in China.

Olkhovikova's family also supports her entrepreneurial endeavors in China, believing in the country's immense development potential. "My uncle runs an agricultural processing company in Russia, and the companies I've started in China can provide high-quality products, especially large tractors, for his business," she noted.

In 2005, Olkhovikova enrolled in Voronezh State University to study international relations, where her interest in China grew. In 2008, she visited China for the first time through a six-month Chinese language program jointly organized by Qingdao University and her alma mater. Later, while working at a Russian foreign trade firm, her frequent dealings deepened her connection with China.

Years later, after thorough research, Olkhovikova pursued an MBA at Tianjin University, drawn by its heritage and practical focus on China's economy. Her thesis examined the demand for large tractors on Russian farms, leading her to explore Sino-Russian cooperation through field visits to local agricultural machinery firms.

Today, Olkhovikova continues to implement the ideas from her thesis in her entrepreneurial ventures. Despite her busy schedule, she remains committed to learning Chinese and deepening her understanding of the country.

"China is full of opportunities, open and inclusive, providing fertile ground for people from around the world who have dreams," she said. "In China, people are always willing to lend a helping hand when you seize the opportunities of the times."

Looking ahead, Olkhovikova opened her notebook and shared a sentence she wrote during a recent high-speed train trip. "I believe a bright future awaits me. I am willing to sow the seeds of new Sino-Russian cooperation, just as my father sows seeds in the fields." ■