Svetlana Olkhovikova, a 36-year-old Russian entrepreneur, is pursuing her entrepreneurial career through two foreign trade companies she established in the China (Tianjin) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Launching one company focused on agricultural machinery in 2023 and another specializing in cross-border trade of medical devices in 2024, Olkhovikova has formed business partnerships with over 20 countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, and South Korea. “I found the best time for entrepreneurship in China,” she said, emphasizing how the efficient and people-oriented practices of local authorities have greatly facilitated various processes—from company registration to visa renewal.
Olkhovikova noted that although she encountered legal and bureaucratic challenges as a foreign entrepreneur in China, she overcame them thanks to the comprehensive support provided by the government. Highlighting China’s vast domestic market, advanced industrial infrastructure, and innovative ecosystem, she stressed that the country offers numerous opportunities. She also pointed out that China-made products have a competitive edge in terms of both quality and cost.
As she continues to study Chinese and learn more about the country, Olkhovikova expressed that China offers an open environment full of possibilities for anyone with a dream, thanks to its inclusive and supportive nature. Having completed her MBA at Tianjin University, she aims to address the demand for large tractors among Russian farms—an issue she explored in her thesis—through China-Russia cooperation. “Just as my father sows seeds in the field, I am ready to sow the seeds of new partnerships between China and Russia,” she said, expressing her optimism for the future.