OREANDA-NEWS. July 22, 2009. The performance of JSC Belagroprombank in the field of agroecotourism development in the Republic of Belarus has been acknowledged with a special certificate of “The Man of His Business” contest, reported the press-centre of Belagroprombank.  

A ceremony of awarding the winners of “The Man of His Business-2009” contest was held in the Palace of the Republic. The prizes were awarded to the managers of the most rapidly developing domestic and foreign enterprises operating in the Belarusian market. The contest results are annually announced by the public editorial council made up of the most competent Belarusian entrepreneurs, economists and public figures.

The Chairman of the Belarusian Public Association “Country Escape” Valerija Klitsunova became the laureate of “The Man of His Business-2009” contest in the nomination “Most Original Business Idea by Domestic Entrepreneur”. The award for the implementation of the idea of rural tourism development in Belarus was handed out by the Vice Minister of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus Cheslav Shulga and the Chairman of the Board of JSC Belagroprombank Sergey Roumas. 

Rural tourism is more than just the method of tourism development; it also entails cooperation between people striving for the welfare of their home country. This is why we are particularly proud that Belagroprombank’s performance in the area of development and popularization of agroecotourism has been acknowledged by the editorial council of “The Man of His Business-2009” contest: Sergey Roumas was awarded with a special certificate “For significant contribution into the establishment and development of agroecotourism in the Republic of Belarus”.

Belagroprombank has been implementing the Program for agroecotourism development in the Republic of Belarus since 2007. Along with lending on preferential terms, Belagroprombank has been providing informational support. The bank has already published two farmstead catalogues unique in Belarus, assisted the Belarusian Public Association  “Country Escape”  in participation in the specialized fair “Holidays 2009”, arranged for participation of farmstead owners in the Days of Economy of the Republic of Belarus in Milan.

Belagroprombank has its own training centre and assists the “Country Escape” in providing training for those interested in rendering tourist services. The bank gives priority to the farmstead owners who were granted loans by Belagroprombank. Trainees familiarize themselves with the quality standards of a rural farmstead and improve their ecological literacy and knowledge of financial accounting management. Moreover, Belagroprombank jointly with the Belarusian public association organized two specialized conferences dedicated to the issues of agroecotourism development (2007, 2008) and established the “Best Farmstead of the Year” contest.

Today the results of the joint work of the “Country Escape” and Belagroprombank are impressive, with more than 600 registered entities specializing in rural tourism in the Republic of Belarus. Since the launch of implementation of Belagroprombank’s involvement in the program for agroecotourism development in Belarus the bank has provided financial support to 298 farmstead owners. The bad loans granted for the development and creation of agroecotourism entities as of today amount to BYR 9,8 bln.