International competition started in Far East as part of business for Russia programme

An open international competition within the framework of the Business for Russia programme was launched in Primorye, Far East, on Friday.

The regional co-ordinator of the Business for Russia programme, Stephen Houtsma, told RIA Novosti that the project was being implemented as part of an agreement between the governments of the US and Russia signed in the spring of 1994. The project envisages a free 5-week training course at US enterprises of small and medium businesses for Russian businessmen.

Winners of the competition for 30 Primorye businessmen will be sent to cities of the US Pacific coast to study the experience of US enterprises in the spheres of their business.

Apart from the Primorye territory, the Business for Russia programme is also run by the Khabarovsk territory, the Amur and Magadan regions and the Chukotka Autonomous Area.

Almost 4,000 entrepreneurs from over 55 Russian regions have had 5 weeks of training in the US over the 8 years the Business for Russia programme has been implemented, Stephen Houtsma noted.