R. Minnikhanov: “The “Business class” is a unique opportunity for Tatarstan to declare about itself again”

(KZN.RU, November 18, Alsu Safina). The results of the pilot project “Business class”, which started in Tatarstan in April this year, were announced today at the Kazan IT-Park. German Gref, the chairman of the Board of the PAO “Sberbank”, gave a lecture, which was attended by about 150 entrepreneurs. Everyone could ask him questions, as well as Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of Tatarstan, and Carlo d`Azaro Biondo, the president of the “Google” on strategic partnership in the regions of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, Roman Shaikhutdinov, the deputy Prime Minister and the minister of Information and Communication of the RT, Engel’ Fattakhov, the deputy Prime Minister and the minister of Education and Science of the RT, Artem Zdunov, the minister of Economy of the RT, and others were among the participants of the event.

More than 30 thousand people have left the application for participation in the program from April 1 to May 30, the bulk of which are from Tatarstan. One third of them live in Kazan, 18% - in Naberezhnye Chelny, and nearly half - in the regions of the republic. According to the results of entrance tests, more than 20 thousand people have begun to learn the program. About 5 thousand people have already completed the training; about 17 thousand people continue are still taking a free program, designed both for beginners as well as experienced entrepreneurs.

Participants represent various sectors. The top 5 lines of business include “Beauty”, “Shop Online”, “Car and Bike”, “Agriculture, farming” and “Retail trade”. The best graduates of the program received certificates from the hands of the guests.

The average age of participants in the program is 26 years. About 100 experts participated in the development of the course, intramural activities and consultations in the form of webinars. The “Business class” includes six online modules and intramural events. The project was organized by the “Sberbank”. The program is implemented with the participation of the “Google” and the Government of Tatarstan.

Carlo d`Azaro Biondo, the president of the “Google” on strategic partnership in the regions Europe, Middle East and Africa, dealing with journalists, called the choice of Tatarstan as a pilot site for the implementation of the program “Business class” a natural. According to him, Tatarstan is one of Russia's regions, which promotes innovation and tries to develop its economies as quickly as possible.

According to G. Gref, the chairman of the Board of the PAO “Sberbank”, the program was successfully adapted in Tatarstan, which is a leader in investment attractiveness rankings. “It was the first experience, and we would like it to become successful. We realized that in Tatarstan we receive the full support of the President and the Government of the republic”, told G. Gref to reporters. “We have received the number of participants, which were not expected”.

The chairman of the Board of PAO “Sberbank” stressed that the task of project organizers is to adapt entrepreneurs who create new jobs as much as possible. “The most important thing that we can give to a business is modern skills and knowledge. We are pleased by what we had received”, he said.

“This program is a unique opportunity for Tatarstan to declare about itself once again. I did not even dream that we can make such a program”, said Rustam Minnikhanov. “We have become a pilot region, and we will try to get the most benefit from it”.

As the head of the republic said, the program is difficult, fundamental, but it is necessary. “If you want to be competitive in business, you must have the skills and knowledge”, he said. And the program, as noted by the President of Tatarstan, is not just books. “The most successful examples are presented here, the most pressing issues are raised”, said R. Minnikhanov. “We agreed that there will be extension”.

According to German Gref, it is planned to continue the implementation of the program “Business Class” in 10 regions of the country in 2017, including in the Sverdlovsk region. He also noted that Tatarstan can become a pilot area for the new nationwide project in 2017. The joint project with “Google” is likely to return to the Republic in a modified and extended version after some time, said G. Gref.

Also, a memorandum on cooperation in the field of programs’ development for small and medium sized businesses between the PAO “Sberbank” and the company “Google” was signed in the framework of the event. The Companies will implement a program to improve the “Business class”.