OREANDA-NEWS. November 08, 2011. Vnesheconombank, SME Bank, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and Ukreximbank have signed a cooperation agreement on SME support. The parties reached the agreement in the course of the 2nd Russian-Ukrainian Interregional Economic Forum in Donetsk and attended by the Russian and Ukrainian state leaders, reported the press-centre of SME Bank.

Signing the agreement S.Krjukov, SME Bank’s CEO pointed out that SME development is one of the crucial factors of economic growth in Ukraine and Russia, facilitating employment, social welfare, innovations and creation of entrepreneurial culture. “System-based development of small and medium-sized enterprises is most efficient under extensive support of the state, financial institutions, NGOs and industry associations”, said S.Krjukov.

On the eve of the forum Vnesheconombank and SME Bank held a round-table discussion on Russian-Ukrainian cooperation in providing support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Board Member and Deputy Chairman of Vnesheconombank Mikhail Kopeikin acted as a moderator. The round-table discussion was attended by representatives of the banking community, Ukrainian and Russian non-government organizations as well as executives of Ukrainian government authorities.