Intrepid export director Nick Eastwood is pushing ahead with a major exhibition in Russia despite the country's economic crisis.

Mr Eastwood is in charge of exports at Shipley textile firm S Jerome, which has had its exports hit by the strength of the pound abroad this year.

S Jerome is one of 130 UK firms taking part in the Britain - Window for Business exhibition at the LenExpo Exhibition Centre in St Petersburg next week. The show is backed by the Department of Trade and Industry.

The Russian economic meltdown follows a series of crises in the Far East effecting the world economy.

"It does seem a bit odd going to an exhibition in Russia when it is going through an economic crisis, but we are not going there to pick up deals," said Mr Eastwood.

"We are exhibiting our products and will be meeting people. Eventually the crisis will be over and when that happens we will be able to contact people we meet in St Petersburg and do business with them."

S Jerome, which employs 250 people at its Victoria Works site, exports 25 per cent of its products to the Far East, Middle East, Western Europe and North and South America.

"The decline of the Far East economies and the strength of the pound has affected our export trade so we decided to look for new markets," added Mr Eastwood.

He will be joined in St Petersburg by Dave Chapman, of fellow Jerome company Nott-ingham Braid of Derby.

They will be promoting worsted cloth from the Shipley factor; woollen and tweed cloth from another Jerome company in Selkirk, Scotland; furniture fabric from West Yorkshire Weavers in Keighley; and fabric made by Nottingham Braid.

Fellow West Yorkshire firm IMI Building Products in Leeds will also be showing off their products at the exhibition, which will be opened by Trade Minister Brian Wilson.

Mr Wilson said today: "Some people have questioned why I have decided to go ahead with the exhibition in St Petersburg next week in view of the current crisis in Russia.

"The reasons are simple. I believe Russia will continue to provide scope for British exports in the long-term.

"In spite of the economic difficulties, genuine opportunities will continue to exist for those who are well-prepared in the oil and gas sectors and in retail, processing and distributing foodstuffs, information technology, construction and transport."

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