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Youth Business Russia creates new businesses, new jobs

Photo: HRH Prince Michael of Kent(left) and Boris Tkachenko, programme manager of Youth Business Russia and Director of IBLF Russia at the YBR presentation

Photo: Youth Business Russia team

HRH Prince Michael of Kent was guest of honour at a presentation of Youth Business Russia (YBR) at IBLF-Russia’s offices in Moscow on 20 October 2009. The young entrepreneurs from Kaluga and Voronezh, their mentors and the local programme organisers spoke with HRH Prince Michael and CEO of Youth Business International Andrew Devenport about their achievements.

The event was attended by CEOs and board members of major companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb, Salym Petroleum, Kinross Gold and VTB24. Also present was the Head of the SME development department of the Federal Ministry of Economic Development, Andrey Sharov, who offered to support the transfer of the experience in Kaluga and Voronezh to other cities throughout Russia.

At the presentation, the young entrepreneurs spoke of their experience in setting up their own businesses for the first time. Said Alexey Shelgunov from Kaluga, “When I first heard about YBR programme through friends, it sounded too good to be true. In Russia, there are no possibilities to receive a loan for a start-up, especially for someone

like me, who has little experience or capital. I was also very nervous about setting up my own company. But when I applied, I received not only the funding, but also the help of YBR’s local adviser in putting together my business plan. And now that I am up and running, I have the support of a business mentor. I am extremely grateful to the IBLF and YBR teams for this opportunity. For me this has been an opportunity to achieve much more in life”.

Youth Business Russia
Youth Business International