OREANDA-NEWS. July 20, 2012. Tele2 recently had the pleasure of welcoming the Chairman of Investment AB Kinnevik Cristina Stenbeck, and Max Stenbeck to its offices in Russia. During their visit, Cristina and Max travelled to the Nizhny Novgorod and Voronezh regions where they had the opportunity to meet with the regional management teams. Cristina Stenbeck shared that she was encouraged to hear of Tele2’s strong local market positions and prospects for future growth, in particular within the data segment of the business. She also commented after her first meeting that the management teams appeared committed to driving innovative services and applications from the regions to show that Tele2 customers are ready for the launch of 3G and 4G services in these markets.

Cristina and Max Stenbeck were also received in Nizhny Novgorod by Governor Valery Shantsev and the Ministers of Investment Policy and Education, and in Voronezh by Governor Alexey Gordeev and various ministers representing the diverse local interests of Kinnevik; namely mass media and communications and agriculture. Cristina outlined Kinnevik’s investment strategy across its operating companies in Russia, including programs like Playing for Change, which is an organisation founded by Kinnevik that supports social entrepreneurs who improve the lives of children and youth. The discussions were constructive and focused on certain educational programs and various ideas for public and private sector partnerships aimed at retaining the young workforce in the regions.

As part of their one week long stay in Russia, Cristina and Max Stenbeck also visited two local orphanages and rehabilitation centres focused on supporting children in the regions. Cristina and Max’s joint foundation, the Stenbeck Foundation, made a donation to each centre in order to help Tele2 to continue to be a strong corporate citizen in the communities in which it operates in Russia.