Consultancy extended to high school students for business ideas in Iasi

Iasi, March 10, 2011 – Students from 14 high schools, attending youth entrepreneurship programs such as “The Company” and “Enterprise Without Borders” run by Junior Achievement, were delivered a training session by volunteer consultants of EximBank related to the small companies incumbent on the students.

During the proceedings held in the National College of Iasi, the students learnt about the entrepreneurship opportunities granted to the younger generation through the programs “The Company” and “Enterprise Without Borders”alongside with the national competition “Company of the Year”. After looking into several successful business examples of young people involved in European Junior Achievement (JA) programs, the JA small companies presented their own business ideas which received the feedback of EximBank experts within a most efficient dialogue.

The EximBank volunteer consultants answered students’ questions and gave advice accordingly to the entrepreneurs-to-be on the ways of applying for financing the related business.

A surprise which grasped the attention of the audience was pertaining to the business ideas competition submitted as “elevator pitch”, with subscribers from among daring young people of the audience eager to persuade the participants about the creativity and feasibility of each business idea. The jury made of representatives of EximBank, of the National College of Iasi and of the County School Inspectorate selected three of the best ideas, while EximBank awarded prizes to the winners.

“The involvement of high schools students into such projects is very encouraging as it showcases the younger generation evolution. The surveys of previous years were indicative of young people’s expectations only directed at a well paid position to be held in a company, while recent events underscore professional zest and the intention of being successful in business even from high school”, said Maria Sandor, counselor of the president of EximBank.

The event in Iasi is part of a comprehensive project jointly run by JA and EximBank, in order to develop entrepreneurship spirit and appropriate training even from early stages as in high school for the entrepreneurs-to-be, with previous meetings already held in Bucharest, Craiova and Baia Mare.