Interprise Murmansk–St.Petersburg
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The background of the project was based on several years of cooperation between companies in the region and the Chambers of Commerce in Oulu and North Karelia. In addition to the companies, the Chambers of Commerce had established functional cooperation relationships with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Karelia, the Ministries of the Republic of Karelia, and the customs administration in the Northwest Customs Administration of Russia. The companies still needed assistance from the Chambers of Commerce in seeking reliable partners, arranging meetings, and researching the backgrounds of partner candidates.

Main activities

• Planning, preparing, and carry-out of Interprise events, • Identification of Finnish and Russian companies for the events and selection of partners, • Production of profile cards for the participating companies.

Achievements

The Chambers of Commerce in Oulu and North Karelia worked in close cooperation with the respective Chambers of Commerce in Kronstadt and Murmansk regarding the arrangements of the Interprise events. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Karelia also participated in arranging the events. The preparation work of the events included identifying Finnish and Russian companies for the events and selecting negotiation partners. A profile card was produced for every participating Finnish and Russian company in both languages, which included basic information, a product/service description, and hopes for the cooperation of each company. The Interprise events were held in Kronstadt (St. Petersburg) and Murmansk. Nine Finnish and nine Russian companies participated in the Interprise event in Kronstadt. There were participants representing 11 Finnish and 11 Russian companies in the Interprise event in Murmansk. The results of the events were evaluated using survey forms, which assessed the results of companies’ discussions and potential further negotiations after the events. Most of the companies were satisfied with their negotiation partners and the results of the discussions. Several of the companies had been in contact with their new partners and had engaged in further negotiations regarding cooperation. Networking also took place between the Finnish companies that participated in the events.