Sochi 2017: VEB and ASI will make the institute of certified managers for regional projects selection

The regions of the Russian Federation will see the opening of the Institute of Certified Managers of the Bank for Development and Foreign Affairs. These managers will search for and perform a primary selection of prospective investment projects. This decision was regulated by the agreement concluded between the Bank for Development and Foreign Affairs and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) which was signed during the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi.

The document was signed by the VEB President, Sergey Gorkov, and the ASI General Director, Svetlana Chupsheva.

Within the framework of the cooperation development, it is planned to introduce a new approach to VEB and ASI work with the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in terms of investment attraction to the projects. This approach will be based on the uniform standards of project selection and the scoring model of the primary evaluation with the use of the online platform, the system of VEB certified managers in the regions, a wide “tunnel” of project selection, reduction of project consideration terms, client focus, project economy improvement because of regional state support measures. All these are intended for making the process the most transparent and open.

The project implementation will start from top-20 constituent entities of the Russian Federation in terms of regional state support measures provision.

Sergey Gorkov, President of the Bank for Development and Foreign Affairs, explains: “We are transitioning to the stage of the pro-active work with the region in regard to search for and selection of new projects for VEB. Together with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, we developed a new approach to this process with the account of the strong competencies of both organizations. Our key focus is on infrastructural projects, high-tech products manufacture, support of non-resource export and projects under NTI.”

Svetlana Chupsheva, General Director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, says: “ASI has a multidivisional regional network and a large experience of work with local business representatives. I’m sure that VEB expertise and resources will enable us to jointly create an efficient tool for selection and funding of the most prospective projects. The unique method of “open selection” will ensure involvement of high-qualified specialists only.”

The Deputy President of the Bank, Alexey Ivanchenko, became the supervisor over introduction of the new approach into the VEB work.