IB Group Ltd. NEWS

On October 15th, 2007, Monday

In October one of the most popular business magazines, “Canadian Business” published an article about IB Group, its partners and the immediate prospects of projects.

“Canadian Business”, October, 2007
IB GROUP: ONE-STOP RUSSIAN SUPPORT

As the owner of an oil and gas consulting company expanding into Russia, Bernard Borg realized that every connection he made would be useful to his consulting clients. He set up a sister company, IB Group Ltd., which is now a one-stop for companies doing business in Russia.
Borg’ strategy – and the most prominent characteristic of IB Group – is a network of alliances. IB represents the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Canada, as well as representing the chambers of commerce for the Komi Republic, a state in north-central Russia, and Primorsky in eastern Russia. IB is also the only private organization to represent the Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce, a relationship that enables IB to conduct due diligence research for Canadian companies on potential Russian customers and partners, and also to offer assistance in arranging visas, usually within two days.
In addition, Borg has set up an alliance with the Moscow Union of Lawyers, diving IB a pipeline into specialized Russian legal advice. Though an agreement with the Moscow Business centre, the company even arranges car rentals, tours and other logistics. Because of its Russian-speaking connections, IB is even able to help with contract negotiations and translation services.

“You need to provide unique services, and that’s what we do,” says Bernard Borg. “We’re trying to be a one-stop shop and open the doors to the right people for our clients.” 

On September 14th, 2007, Friday

In Calgary, at the central office of the Engineering Company, “Tri-Ocean Engineering” the certificates which they won in the “Brand of the Year” contest which was held in the Primorsky Region of the Russian Federation, were presented. Tri-Ocean entered this contest for the first time has won all three nominations.
The Honor of presenting the certificates on behalf of the organizers of the competitions, Primorsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Government of the Primorsky Region was given to the heads of IB Group, Irina Bobrysheva and Bernard Borg. Congratulations from the competition jury and organizers were expressed and certificates in both English and Russian were personally presented to the president of Tri-Ocean Mr. Raul Alvarez.
 Mr. Alvarez expressed his thank you to the president of Primorsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Vladimir Brezhnev and has expressed confidence of the development of mutually advantageous cooperation. 

At the office of “Tri-Ocean Engineering” (from right to left) - Gerry King, vice president of “Tri-Ocean Engineering”; Raul Alvarez, president of “Tri-Ocean Engineering”; Irina Bobrysheva, president of “IB Group”;  Omar Nava, business development manager of “Tri-Ocean Engineering”

June, 8th, 2007, Friday

A meeting was held between IB Group and the Trade Commissioner with Foreign Affairs & International Trade at the offices of IB Group on Friday June 8. The trade commissioner for the Oil and Gas sector was also in attendance. The discussions revolved around the services that IB Group can provide to Canadian companies who are seeking to trade with the Russian Federation. The trade commissioners also provided information about how this department supports export development within Canada. During the meeting, a number of concrete directions of work of International Business Group, regarding consultation and information services for Canadian companies was discussed along with the prospects of cooperation between Canadian and Russian businessmen. Special attention was paid to the potential of utilizing the services of the Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry. International Business Group has signed an agreement in April this year to represent the interests of the Russian Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Canada. 

June, 6th, 2007, Wednesday

Today, IB Group signed an agreement with the Moscow Union of Lawyers. Under this agreement, Canadian and Russian businessmen can receive the necessary legal aid and consultation for Russian and International legislation from well known experts in the field. The agreement was signed by Maya Kazmina, the president of the Union of Lawyers of Moscow, and Irina Bobrysheva, the president of IB Group.

Development of mutual interests between the Canadian and Russian businessmen, growth of the joint Russian-Canadian companies, and also rapid rates of export-import development between Russia and Canada has resulted in the need for the organization of complex legal services and support of international projects, contracts and commercial transactions.

The Union of lawyers of Moscow has been created in 1990 under the initiative of leading Russian lawyers. It unites in the structure about thousand the eminent experts recognized by professionals of a high-class in sphere lawyers. For many years, Mrs. Kazmina is also the vice-president of Russian Union of Lawyers, supervises over work of this organization.

May, 31st, 2007, Thursday

The “Brand of the Year” contest, organized by the Primrsk Chamber o Commerce and Industry, in Vladivostok, Russia ended and the names of the contest winners were announced.

For the first time, Canadian companies participated in this competition. The following Canadian Companies have been announced as winners in their respective categories - ASRC Energy Services, Signal Safety & Training Ltd., CoreData Incorporated, International Business Group Ltd.

The company, “International Business Group Ltd.” has won the Gold prize in a nomination «The Project in sphere of the international business and foreign trade activities », and the leaders of IB Group, Irina Bobrysheva and Bernard Borg are declared as winners in a nomination of "The Person of the Year ».

The president of Primorsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladimir Brezhnev has directed the congratulations to Mrs. Bobrysheva and Mr. Borg and has expressed sincere desire of the further cooperation between the Primorsk CCI and «International Business Group Ltd. ».

May, 21st, 2007, Monday

An agreement was signed today between the IB Group Ltd. (Canada), Primorsk Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Russia) and Russian Information Agency “Prima Media” (Russia). The efforts under these agreements will be directed on expansion of business contacts between businessmen of Canada and Primorsky Region to the Russian Federation by means of a constant exchange of the actual news information.

Since July of this year the Canadian businessmen can receive on a regular basis the information in English about a business life, social and economic development and prospects of one of the biggest region of Russian Federation - Primorsky Region. It will be possible to view this news in «Moscow Information Centre » (http://www.ib-group.ca). The “Moscow Information Centre” is the first Russian-Canadian project with similar goals that was designed with the initiative of the «International Business Group Ltd. » to assist with mutual understanding and development of economic cooperation between businessmen of Russia and Canada. This project was created in 2006 in Calgary with the support of Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry which signed Memorandum of cooperation in September, 27, 2006.

April 27th, 2007, Friday

IB Group Ltd has participated in a meeting with the President of the Republic of Hungary Laszlo Solyom and the Deputy Minister of Economics and Transportation of Hungary Milkos Merenyi.

Official actions took place in the City of Calgary Council Chambers. Among the invited guest there were representatives of political, public and business leaders of Alberta. After end of a formal part of agenda, Mr. Borg and Ms. Bobrysheva  met with the Deputy Minister of Economics and Transportation of Hungary Mr. Merenyi. A discussion concerning international cooperation took place

April 18th, 2007, Wednesday

IB Group Ltd has entered a contest for the VI Regional Internet-Contest «The Brand of the Year - 2007 » (www.prim-brand.ru) which has started in Russia, in the capital of  Primorsky Region  - Vladivostok city.

"The Brand of the Year" Internet Contest is held by the Primorsky Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Far-Eastern Regional Center "The Russian Business Culture" (the Primorsky Chamber of Commerce and Industry) under the aegis of the RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Fund for Support of the Orthodox Culture and Native Customs, the Russian Marketing Association, the Russian Association of Trade Marks.

Awards Ceremony shall take place on May 31, 2007.

April 16th, 2007, Monday

An agreement was signed today between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation and International Business Group allowing IB Group to represent the interests of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation in Canada. The vice-president of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Mr. Gorelovsky signed on behalf of the CCI RF and Ms. Bobrysheva on behalf of IB Group. International Business Group has become the first private company in Canada to have direct arrangements and powers of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.

March 7th 2007, Wednesday

IB Group Ltd. signed memorandum of agreement with the Primorskaya Chamber of Commerce on March 7th 2007. This is the third agreement signed between IB Group and Russian Chambers of Commerce. These agreements will allow IB Group to find Russian business partners and will allow IB Group to conduct due diligence and background checks of Russian companies for Canadian Businesses. (The Primorskaya Chamber of Commerce office is located in the city of Vladivostok.)

February 26th to March 1st 2007

The Deputy Director General, Mr. Vardanian, of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry arrived in Calgary on February 26 for a series of meetings, organized by IB Group Ltd. The purpose of the visit was to prepare for an official visit of the President of the MCCI, Mr. Govorov to Calgary at the end of April.

During this visit the members of Moscow delegation had meetings and negotiations with the different organizations and also took part in the round table “Doing Business with Russia” which was organized in Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

The support and sponsorship of this visit was carried out by company IB Group Ltd. in accordance with the Memorandum of cooperation between the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry and IB Group Ltd.

February 27th 2007, Tuesday

The MCCI delegation and IB Group Ltd. met with the Vice-President of Calgary Economic Development, Mr. Clark Grue on February 27th. The meeting was very productive and questions concerning future economic and trading cooperation between Calgary and Moscow were discussed. Discussions ranged from development of a Sister City relationship with Moscow and exchanges of information by managers of both Moscow and Calgary. Calgary Economic Development expressed their interest in working with the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the City of Moscow in the form of a memorandum to the President of the MCCI, Mr. Govorov.

A second meeting was held on Tuesday with the Facilities Marketing Manager of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, Mr. Iwanylo. Questions were discussed about cooperation in the field of exhibition activity and an exchange of experience. The members of Moscow delegation also enjoyed a visit to exhibition halls and meeting rooms.

February 28th 2007, Wednesday

A luncheon was held with members of the Board of Directors of Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and IB Group Ltd. on Tuesday February 28. The round table took place within the heritage building of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. The Moscow Chamber of Commerce made a presentation to the directors on the theme: «Doing business with Russia ». IB Group provided a number of written materials including graphics from the research of the World Bank on “Ease of Doing Business”. Participants of a round table asked many questions and were appreciative of the information materials prepared by IB Group. Upon termination of a round table, the president of Calgary Chamber of Commerce Mrs. Heather Douglas has lead a working discussion of the questions concerning to preparation for future official visit of the president of Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Calgary. IB Group Ltd. will take part in this work according the Memorandum of cooperation between Calgary Chamber of Commerce and IB Group.

A third meeting was held at “Tourism Calgary on Feb 28 with the Moscow delegation. After the day’s meetings a visit and short tour was made of Banff. Banff is located 140 km from Calgary on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains. It is one of Alberta’s centers for international tourism.

March 1st 2007, Thursday

A meeting was held with the assistant to mayor of Calgary Mr. Marek Drywa at the Mayor’s office in Historic City Hall. The meeting included members of delegation from Moscow and included the heads IB Group Ltd. The agenda included discussion of questions related to the organization of the forthcoming official visit to Calgary by the president of MCCI, Mr. L. Govorov.

During the afternoon of March 1st, the Moscow delegation has held a meeting and negotiations with director of Department of passenger air service of the Calgary Airport Authority, Mrs. Katherine Witwicki. Discussion included the establishment of cooperation between International Airport of Calgary and one of the biggest airports in Moscow the International airport Vnukovo. The establishment of direct cargo and passenger travel between Moscow and Calgary is viewed as one of the more important aspects of trade between Canada and Russia.

The MCCI delegation felt the trip to Calgary was very successful and will be looking forward to the continued development of economic relationships. The Moscow delegation departed from Calgary later in the day.

25 January 2007, Thursday

On January 25, an agreement about cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce of the Komi Republic of Russia and IB Group Ltd. of Canada was signed. The agreement sets out the protocols of cooperation and will assist the Chamber of Commerce of Komi to find partners for projects in the Komi Republic and will provide IB Group with the means of assisting business people who have an interest in working with companies based in the Komi Republic.

18 January 2007, Thursday

Irina Bobrysheva met with Mr.Sergey Volodomanov, the department head for Documentation and Cunsultancy Service, at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, in Moscow on January 18, 2007. The meeting discussed the project “Moscow Information Centre” and the future cooperation between the Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and IB Group Ltd.

20 December 2006, Wednesday

A meeting was held at the office of Calgary Economic Development with Ms. Blair Lancaster, Business Development Manager and Mr. Clark Grue, Vice-President. This meeting was part of ongoing discussions with regard to Calgary and Moscow becoming sister cities.

20 October 2006, Friday

A meeting was held with the Ms. Heather Douglas, President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce this month which discussed the cooperation between the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. An agreement was signed that outlines the cooperation between the MCCI, the Calgary Chamber and IB Group Ltd.

20 – 30 September 2006

Irina Bobrysehva and Bernard Borg returned from a successful business trip to Moscow on September 20 to 30. During the trip, three agreements were signed with organizations in Moscow.

On September 22, a meeting was held with Mr. Govorov, the President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Deputy of Duma. The result of this meeting was the signing of an agreement with IB-Group Ltd. to represent the project “Moscow Information Centre” In Calgary.

Mr. Govorov also suggested IB Group sign a protocol with the Chamber of Commerce of Calgary to represent the interests of the MCCI in Canada.

The president of the MCCI also expressed his personal interest in leading a delegation from Russia to Calgary in the spring of 2007.

On September 25, IB Group signed and agreement with one of the largest recruiting companies in Russia, ”UNITI”. This agreement will facilitate the hiring of engineers who are interested in working in Canada. A number highly qualified engineering candidates were also interviewed at the recruiting office.

On September 26, Ms Bobrysheva and Mr. Borg met with officials from the Moscow City Government. In a meeting with the Deputy Head of the International Relations Department, Mr. Lebedev, the concept of the project “Moscow Information Centre” was discussed. There is a lot of interest in the project and Moscow is looking forward to further development of the concept and to working with the City of Calgary.

On September 28, an agreement was signed with the Centre for Business Cooperation, TBK Services. This agreement outlines the cooperation between this organization and IB Group. IB Group is now able to offer a wide range services to business people or tourists traveling to Russia. These service include; Visa support, Air travel, Hotels & Accommodations, Translation service both technical and business, Car rentals, Car rentals with drivers, Tour guides, Culture Programs, Theatre tickets, Travel arrangements for travel within Russia, etc.

22 August 2006, Tuesday

Mr. Borg and Ms. Bobrysheva attended a luncheon meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Lysyshyn. A number of business people from Calgary discussed issues and difficulties they are experiencing with their relationships with Russian companies. Most of the issues are ones that IB Group Ltd. are capable of resolving.