OREANDA-NEWS. Sberbank and the Government of the Komi Republic have entered into a cooperation agreement. The document, which aims to develop the region’s socio-economic potential, was signed by Herman Gref, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Sberbank and Sergey Gaplikov, Acting Head of the Komi Republic.

Areas of cooperation include advisory services for long-term debt capital policy, development and financing of investment projects, development and financing of investment projects, creation and development of multifunctional centres that provide state and municipal services. The agreement also involves lending to republican and local budgets, and engaging Russian and international investors in the financing Republican projects.

“The economy of the Komi Republic has significant potential. Meeting this potential will take the region to a new stage of development,” commented Herman Gref. “Our agreement will help advance this objective.”

“Sberbank is a reliable strategic partner of the Komi Republic. We are interested in seeing Sberbank participate in major investment projects that will develop the region. We have big plans to work on joint projects in the Arctic area,” said Sergey Gaplikov.

Sberbank’s current share in lending to the Komi Republic’s budget exceeds 70%, whilst lending to the region’s towns and cities exceeds 50%.