Russia-China trade surges as VTB reports 57% jump in SME contracts

Russian and Chinese businesses are expanding their trade ties, with VTB reporting a sharp rise in transactions. The bank’s small and medium-sized clients have boosted their dealings with China in early 2026. These figures were revealed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) by a senior VTB executive. Small and medium-sized enterprises working with VTB increased their contracts with Chinese partners by 57% in the first quarter of 2026. Payments to China from these clients also climbed by 36% compared to the same period last year.

The bank’s database of Chinese suppliers has seen strong demand from entrepreneurs in both countries. This database, which now includes over 2,500 company profiles serviced by VTB Shanghai, has expanded fivefold since January. Julia Kopytova, VTB’s Senior Vice President for Analysis, Coordination, and Product Development, presented these findings at SPIEF 2026. The growth in contracts and payments highlights deeper economic cooperation between Russian and Chinese firms. VTB’s expanded supplier database suggests rising interest in cross-border trade opportunities. These trends reflect ongoing shifts in regional business partnerships.