German Gref: Other Russian regions will be offered to implement the Business Class programme after its adaptation in Tatarstan

On November 18, speaking at a press-conference in Kazan, Board chairman of Sberbank German Gref said that other Russian regions will be offered to implement the Business Class programme after its adaptation in Tatarstan.

The press-conference was held after a solemn ceremony of handing in diplomas to the best fifteen graduates of the Business Class programme at High technology park “IT-park” in Kazan.

“The success of the programme has exceeded all our expectations and we decided to offer other Russian regions to implement it. Sberbank and Google partnership will help businessmen throughout the country to set up and develop their own successful business. We chose Tatarstan to adopt the programme because the republic is one of the most investment-attractive regions of Russia. We wanted our first experience to be a success and expected Tatarstan Government to give us support. A huge number of people took part in the programme here," German Gref said.

«The positive experience in Tatarstan allows us to talk about good prospects of the implementation of the programme in other Russian regions",  Google's President for strategic relationships in Europe, Middle East and Africa Carlo Biondo said.

During the press-conference Sberbank and Google also signed a memorandum on cooperation in the field of development of programmes for small and medium businesses.