OREANDA-NEWS. July 02, 2013. The St. Petersburg’s branch of "IBA-Moscow" Bank, the subsidiary of the International Bank of Azerbaijan, marked 10th anniversary in St. Petersburg.

On this occasion, a gala evening was organized in the northern capital of Russia.

The event started with the opening of a five star hotel "Hermitage" - a successful investment project of "IBA-Moscow" Bank, jointly carried out by the world-famous museum "Hermitage". The agreement to build a hotel of 126 rooms, located in a historic building in the center of St. Petersburg, was reached in December last year, after that started the restoration and renovation of the building.

The ceremony was opened by the People's Artist of Russia, the famous musicologist Vyacheslav Belza. Noting that the St. Petersburg branch of "IBA-Moscow" was opened 10 years ago - on the eve of the 300th anniversary of the northern capital, V.Belza said that the construction of "Hermitage" hotel - the only official hotel of the State Museum "Hermitage" is one of investment projects, undertaken by the bank in Russia. In historic building, located in the heart of St. Petersburg, dating back to XVIII and turn of XIX centuries, lived and created a famous figure of the Russian theater K.Stanislavsky, great writers – A.Chekhov, N.Nekrasov. The interior of the hotel building is created based on the sketches of "Hermitage" showrooms, furniture and other equipment and also personnel clothes appropriate to clothes of servants of the Winter Palace. "Hermitage" information point will operate in the hotel. Foreign visitors of the museum will be able to spend the night in this hotel and get information about the "Hermitage". Here will be organized excursions to the "Hermitage".

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Byulbyuloglu in his speech said that "IBA-Moscow" Bank supports a variety of projects aimed at establishing good neighborly relations and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia. The ambassador said, "Hermitage" is the only hotel named after the famous museum. I think that the museum and "Hermitage" hotel will become a favorite holiday destination, not only of the residents of St. Petersburg, but also the many visitors to the city on the Neva. I am confident that the investments of Azerbaijan aimed at development of cultures, mutual contacts of peoples will be duly appreciated by future generations".
 
Member of the Government of St. Petersburg, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Alexander Prokhorenko noted that the close involvement of the Azerbaijan bank, celebrating its 10th anniversary, in the economic life of Saint Petersburg is a continuation of traditional good-neighborly Russian-Azerbaijan relations. Azerbaijan's national leader Heydar Aliyev in his speeches during his visit to St. Petersburg in 2002 and during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the development of friendly relations between the two nations is the key to the success of our country. A.Prohorenko said: "Support of the Azerbaijan bank in the reconstruction of this beautiful building in the city center, a joint activity of Azerbaijan and Russian entrepreneurs indicate that, despite the provocation of malevolent persons, the Russian-Azerbaijan relations are consolidating and will be strengthened in the future".

A.Prohorenko presented a congratulatory letter to the Governor of St. Petersburg Grigory Poltavchenko.

The Chairman of the International Bank of Azerbaijan Jahangir Hajiyev said that the opening of the "IBA-Moscow" Bank was held in 2002 with the participation of the national leader Heydar Aliyev and over the years the bank has been successfully represented in the Russian economy. J. Hajiyev said: "Today we are taking part in the presentation of one of the investment projects of the International Bank of Azerbaijan. Bank branches operate also in other regions of Russia, investment projects are carried out".

Then, Chairman of the Board of "IBA-Moscow" Bank Fuad Abdullayev, Director General of JSC "Baltic International Investment Company" Elshan Babayev, representatives of leading financial institutions of St. Petersburg, spoke at the meeting, congratulated the St. Petersburg branch of "IBA-Moscow" Bank with the 10th anniversary and the implementation of a new project.

In the artistic part of the event V.Belza presented honored artist of Azerbaijan, the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia Dinara Aliyeva and honored artist of Azerbaijan, pianist Emil Afrasiab and emphasized that Azerbaijan for centuries conquers not only Russia but the whole world with their unique voices.

"IBA-Moscow" Bank is the only bank in Russia, operating with 100 percent Azerbaijan capital. "IBA-Moscow" Bank was established in 1992 with the support of the Azerbaijan state and is the first bank in Russia among the CIS with foreign capital. St. Petersburg Branch of "IBA-Moscow" Bank was established in 2003 and over the past period has become the leading financial organization of the North-West region. At present, along with the head department of the branch, also operate three additional offices of the bank. In the coming years is planned to open new offices of the St. Petersburg branch in the northern capital and the Leningrad region.