Letter of Support, Center for Business Planning and Management

In 1996, as an Agricultural Consultant for the United States Department of Agriculture to the Leningrad Region Agriculture Committee, I had the opportunity to assist in the development of the Center for Business Planning and Management. This organization was designed to meet the needs of Russian agriculture in planning and managing agricultural enterprises under transition.

The Center was formed to assist in developing Western Style business plans and to familiarize clientele with entrepreneurial farm management practices. It began providing services in September 1996 under the direction of Sergei Ivanov.

Since the Center's inception Mr. Ivanov has committed himself to the development of the Center's staff and services which meet its goals. The Center has attracted staff members who are familiar with appropriate business planning and management practices and have the unique ability to pass this information on to others in seminars and direct consultations.

The Center has assisted numerous clients prepare quality business plans which have resulted in financial investments into these activities. Several business plans have been recognized by independent organizations for their quality and detailed nature.

The Center has been active in designing and implementing educational seminars for agribusinesses, farmers and financial intstitutions on business planning and management. This group of specialists is unique in their understanding of these practices in the Russian environment and are providing a service unobtainable elsewhere.

The Center, under Ivanov's leadership, aggressively evaluates the current agricultural business climate and has formulated plans to meet future needs. These include development of much needed marketing data, computer assisted information transfer (Internet Homepage) and conducting research on the topic of comparative financial ratios in agriculture. These activities are important to the further development of the region's agricultural community.

I look forward to supporting the future activities of Center and its growth.

Brad Beeler, Coordinator, Russian-American Privatization Project