OREANDA-NEWS. METALLOINVEST will provide long-term interest free loans to support seven business projects launched by entrepreneurs from Novotroitsk. For this purpose, the Company’s Ural Steel has transferred RUB 1.5 million to the city’s Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Development Fund.

The projects were developed for an Entrepreneurial Initiatives Competition as a part of the programme to support small and medium-sized businesses. The programme is implemented by the administrations of Novotroitsk city and Orenburg region, as well as METALLOINVEST within the framework of the social partnership initiative. The competition was held during the period from September to November 2012 to promote entrepreneurship among Novotroitsk’s residents.

Experts in small and medium-sized businesses assisted with finalisation of the projects in manufacturing, services, culture and leisure sectors as a part of the School of Entrepreneurs set up by METALLOINVEST. At present, the experts continue to consult the authors of the projects.

Julia Mazanova, Social Policy and Corporate Communications Director of the Management Company METALLOINVEST, commented: “METALLOINVEST, the region’s Government and Novotroitsk Administration have offered a wide range of measures to promote the projects which took part in the competition. These measures include state initiatives implemented within the framework of the regional programme aimed at promoting small and medium-sized businesses. Along with other partners, METALLOINVEST provides financial support to a number of projects.”

According to Galina Chizhova, head of local administration, for Novotroitsk, a city with one principle employer, METALLOINVEST’s initiative to support small and medium-sized businesses is impossible to overestimate. The active involvement in local projects proves that the Company takes a comprehensive approach to the long-term sustainable development of the regions in which it operates.