Penza, 1 June 2012. PenzaNews. An official opening ceremony of the Tatlin Mixed-Use Business Incubator took place in Penza on June 1.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

Director of the Department for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Development of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Natalya Larionova, Director of Moscow Non-commercial Partnership “Institutions for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Development” Andrey Lebedev, Governor of the Penza region Vasily Bochkarev and Chairperson of the Regional Government Yuri Krikov participated in the ceremony.

The state officials visited the exhibition entitled “Creative potential of the region” where they learned about the work of SMEs that specialize in designing and making folk crafts and arts products and souvenirs.

“The leadership of the Penza region has managed to implement a very smart solution by bringing business, science and culture together. That the new business incubator will be used by craftsmen is wonderful as we will thus preserve the old traditions of the Russian people. When looking into the future we should not forget about the past,” Natalya Larionova stressed.

Andrey Lebedev also noted the significant role of the regional government in developing small businesses.

“Business is just the tip of the pyramid with the traditions of the people lying at its core. It is good that the leadership of the Penza region understands this,” he said.

Vasily Bochkarev added that the regional leadership would continue to create all necessary conditions to develop the SMEs making folk arts and crafts products and souvenirs.

The Tatlin Mixed-Use Business Incubator is located in Okruzhnaya Street in Penza. Its total area is 4 460 square meters. The research and laboratory facilities of the Business Incubator provide 211 workplaces.

The funding used to launch the building totals 83.6 million rubles including 16.7 million rubles from the regional budget and 66.9 million rubles from the federal budget.