OREANDA-NEWS. April 30, 2008. Citibank senior bankers delivered lectures on banking and finance at four local St.Petersburg schools as part of the annual city's "Entrepreneur's Day", reported the press-centre of Citibank.

Addressing graduates of the school #308 at the Central District Ruslan Belyaev, Citi Branch Manager in Saint Petersburg, said: "Private business requires special knowledge across a wide range of key disciplines such as strategic decision-making, accountability and risks management. We hope that Citi's global strong and diverse experience and expertise add a valuable contribution to this important initiative which in turn will encourage young professionals to develop their careers in private businesses in Russia."

Saint Petersburg Day of Entrepreneurs has been established by the Public Council in 2006 with the primary objective to encourage young generation to start their own business while identifying most gifted future contributors to the development of small entrepreneurship as a backbone to the economy of the North West region of Russia.

Participation in Entrepreneur's Day is one example of the role Citibank plays in the community life of Saint Petersburg. Citi provides support to communities all over the world and is aimed at long-term investment to social environment in Russia. Citi Foundation has already granted more than USD 3 million for projects in Russia aimed at financial education, education of future generations and entrepreneurship.

Besides bringing banking products and services to the local market Citibank is one of the pivotal players in the social and economic life of the North West Region. In particular, the Bank has a wide portfolio of community, charity and philanthropy programmes with the Saint Petersburg Government; the Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg State University and a local NGO community.