OREANDA-NEWS. The Regional Center for Coordination Support of Export-Oriented Small and Medium Business Entities established by the Ministry of Economic Development of the republic organises annual business missions to other countries for Karelian companies. This year our delegation went to Germany and Austria. The trips were organized at the support of Trade Representations of the Russian Federation in these countries.

The delegation from Karelia has taken part in the business forum Entrepreneur Day: Russia in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-West Pomerania) in the town of Rostock. The forum held from September, 30 to October, 1 had been organized by the Government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of this state, and Eastern Institute of Wismar.

More than 550 participants have gathered at the forum. Besides our delegation, delegations of five other regions of Russia have come from the Republic of Tatarstan, Leningrad, Kaliningrad, Kaluga and Tula regions.

Karelia was presented in Germany by six companies working in the most different spheres from business consulting to independent estimation of timber reserves and log home building. At the general site they have presented their products and services, and have held preliminary talks.

Within the scope of the forum head of the delegation Lyudmila Arnautova has read out the testimonial of Head of Karelia Alexander Khudilainen to participants of the event.

Representatives of our delegation have pointed out that the atmosphere at the forum was friendly, and German and Russian business are keenly interested in mutual cooperation and business partnership.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has taken part in the forum with the report on the subject of Economic Relations between Russia and Germany.

Karelian entrepreneurs have participated in all break-up groups held simultaneously. Four of them were of industrial character: marine industry; logistics and ports; power industry and energy technology; agriculture and forestry, foodstuff manufacturing. Besides, there were four sessions where issues concerning imports and exports, custom duties and taxes, personnel training, access to markets and development of markets in Russia and in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern were discussed.

German entrepreneurs seem to evince great interest in our republic, both in the context of tourism, and regarding organisation of joint business. Some of Karelia's companies have caused special ionterest of German participants of the forum who intend to continue the talks. Preliminary agreement about the return visit of representatives of Germany to Karelia in 2015 was achieved.

Another company from Karelia Energoresurs-T has joined our delegation in Austria. The key event took place in the Austrian Economic Chamber. Michael Angerer, Director of the Department for Cooperation with the CIS, and Yuri Stetsenko, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Austria, have addressed to the meting participants with welcoming remarks. Head of the delegation Lyudmila Arnautova had made a presentation of Karelia's investment prospects.

Negotiations between Karelian entrepreneurs and representatives of Austrian companies also took place there. Experts of Austrian Economic Chamber intend to mail information about participants of Karelian delegation directly to prospective partner in corresponding fields. In conclusion of the visit to the Austrian Economic Chamber the first stage of signing of the Agreement on cooperation between Energoresurs-T and a company from Austria took place.

The delegation from Karelia has also visited the Trade Representation of the Russian Federation in Austria. There the business mission participants were told about the activities conducted by the Trade Representation and features of doing business in Austria. The concluding stage of signing of the Agreement on cooperation took place in the Trade Representation. Besides, the Trade Representation has informed representatives of Karelian business about rendering them assistance in establishing direct contacts with Austrian companies.

The Regional Center for Coordination Support of Export-Oriented Small and Medium Business Entities will continue promotion of Karelian entrepreneurs searching for foreign partners.