For South African businessman Trevor Zondi, a recent trip to St Petersburg offered a masterclass in the realities of doing business in Russia—a market that rewards preparation and punishes improvisation. Writing about his experience, Zondi noted that the first hurdle comes at the airport: foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard cards stop working the moment you clear passport control, a consequence of sanctions that have severed Russia from much of the global financial system. Without a local payment solution such as a Mir card, visitors are effectively stranded.
Once that logistical challenge is overcome, however, St Petersburg reveals itself as a city of remarkable depth and contrast. Its palaces are grand, the fountains at Peterhof stand as an 18th-century engineering marvel, and the Romanov tombs offer a moving link to Russia’s imperial past. On the skyline, Gazprom’s Lakhta Center—the tallest building in Europe—makes an unmistakable statement about the country’s economic ambition and its determination to project power despite international isolation.
Zondi also praised the city’s culinary scene, describing the food as fresh and surprisingly varied, with efficient service and a cleanliness and safety that may surprise first-time visitors. For those looking to explore business opportunities, he advises arriving armed with a local SIM card, a VPN, a translation app, and a Mir payment option—essential tools for navigating a market that operates on its own terms.
His takeaway is clear: doing business in Russia is not for the unprepared, but for those willing to invest in understanding the local landscape, the effort pays off. St Petersburg, he concludes, offers a rich mix of art, power, and commerce—a city where history and ambition collide, and where opportunity awaits those who come ready.
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