A procurement delegation led by Larisa Zelentsova, president of the International Alliance of BRICS Strategic Projects for the Russian Federation, visited Taojiang County in Hunan Province from July 9 to 12, at the invitation of the People's Government of Taojiang County. The delegation signed strategic cooperation agreements and procurement intent agreements with the Taojiang government and local enterprises.

Photo/Zhang Yu

During their stay in Taojiang, the delegation visited 11 enterprises to gain insight into product R&D, production, and sales as they attended presentations, read publicity materials, viewed products, and engaged with representatives of the companies. 

On July 12, Zhou Denggao, head of the Taojiang government, convened a meeting to welcome the delegation. Zhou noted that China and Russia enjoy a longstanding friendship, adding that the delegation’s trip to Taojiang was a concrete step toward strengthening exchanges and cooperation between the two sides and an innovative measure in Taojiang’s expansion its opening-up process. The two sides gained a better understanding of each other, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation. 

Zhou Denggao expressed the hope that the two sides will take the trip as an opportunity to deepen communication and build a bridge to promote project implementation in the areas of cultural tourism, product promotion, and business cooperation. He encouraged Taojiang entrepreneurs to make use of this opportunity to promote their companies and products abroad.

On behalf of the alliance and the delegation, Larisa Zelentsova expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Taojiang government. She noted that the alliance and Taojiang enjoy broad cooperation prospects, and that she was looking forward to strengthening communication and cooperation with the county. She added that the alliance will give full play to its advantage in resources and its role as a bridge to help Taojiang expand into international markets and introduce Taojiang products to Russia and other parts of the world. 

Afterwards, the international alliance presented a plaque to Taojiang, designating it as a tea-harvesting base. The alliance also inked a strategic cooperation agreement with the Taojiang government. The delegation signed nine procurement intent agreements with local firms in the fields of bamboo products, bamboo shoots, bamboo boards, tea leaves, and household supplies.

In turn, the international alliance invited the Taojiang government to attend the series of activities of the 2024 BRICS Summit which will be held in Russia, welcoming the county to display its unique local products.