7/26/2012

Christophe Bonduelle: Russia is a true success story for us

Photo: Barbara Grossman 
The President of the French family-run Bonduelle Groupe talked to Vedomosti about his company's way in Russia:

"We believed in Russia very rapidly".

"It is a market of growth, although there is no demographic growth here... This market is very dynamic".

"It is easier to find qualified employees here - engineers, people with manufacturing skills...".

"We have been investing in Russia for a long time: in terms of commerce - for almost 20 years, in terms of manufacturing - for 10 years".

"We did not leave Russia even in very difficult circumstances" [1998 crisis].

"Russia is #1 in terms of Bonduelle preserves sales".

"Our brand in Russia is very well-known. This enabled us to win the markets of Belorussia, Armenia, all the countries of CIS...".

"I had several meetings with Alexander Tkatchev [Krasnodarsky region governor]... I would give an advice for everybody who wants to establish business there - not to come as an imperialist, negotiate with regional authorities and not even try to touch "bad" things".