Russia and China plan to create an online platform that will allow Russian producers to sell fresh food products to the Chinese market for the first time, the Kommersant newspaper reported Monday, citing a source within the Russian Export Center (REC).
The online platform will be created with the participation of major Chinese e-commerce company JD.com and the REC, controlled by Russian state development bank Vneshekonombank (VEB).
The memorandum on their cooperation will be signed on Tuesday, the newspaper reported.
According to Kommersant's source, JD.com will assist Russian sellers with logistics and marketing, while REC will develop measures to support exporters.
This was confirmed by Alexander Vasilyev, general director of JD.ru for logistics and services.
According to Vasilyev, food products from any Russian region will be exported to China through the Internet platform. It is the first time the company will supply Russian foodstuffs to China, Vasilyev noted.
The first Russian goods that appeared on JD.com were Canoe brand hats. They launched in January in China and later internationally.
JD.com is not the only Chinese online retailer interested in Russian brands. In November 2015, Chinese e-commerce giant AliExpress began selling Russian goods.