Russian children experience free enterprise in Des Moines - Des Moines, Iowa

Business America, Nov 2, 1992

Seven children of Russian entrepreneurs experienced the free enterprise system when they visited Des Moines, Iowa, through a unique exchange hosted by the Midwest Agribusiness Trade Research and Information Center (MATRIC).

The trip is a result of trade relationships developed between ASKO Insurance Co., Russia's largest private insurance company, and MATRIC, the international arm of the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Federation.

"These Russian entrepreneurs were amazed at the American standard of living," said Sam Kalainov, president of Des Moines-based American Mutual Life Insurance. "They want their children to experience the American system to see how private business gives people the opportunity to live a better life," he added.

The Aug. 17-29 trip gave the children, ages 12-15, opportunities to build relationships with their future business counterparts. While in Des Moines, each child stayed with two different host families.

Special events planned for the group were designed to showcase the American free enterprise system. They included:

* a visit to Adventureland theme park, complete with a behind-the-scenes look at money exchanges and other business procedures;

* participation in Business Horizons, a program sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and industry which features setting up a food business using computer simulation to make operating decisions;

* teaming up with their American peers to serve as astronauts and mission control specialists to enact an adventure to Halley's Comet at the Challenger Center at the Science Center of Iowa;

* a special tour of one of the country's most famous fairs, the Iowa State Fair;

* a career-day tour of Des Moines-area companies and participation in a U.S. government "mini-seminar."

This visit fulfills one part of an agreement reached in May by the JB Demos partnership (Joint Bureau Des Moines-Moscow), created by the Greater Des Moines Chamber Federation and ASKO Insurance Co.

"Des Moines has taken a leadership role in establishing business links with Russia through ASKO Insurance," said Mike Reagan, Greater Des Moines Chamber Federation president and CEO.

MATRIC, based in Des Moines, is a joint venture between the Chamber Federation and Iowa State University with matching support funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. MATRIC works with businesses in 11 midwestern states to enter into international trade or expand their international trading activities. (See Business America issue dated July 27 and Aug. 10, 1992 for more information about MATRIC and its activities.)

The Chamber Federation plans to arrange a similar exchange visit to Russia for Des Moines children next summer.

For more information about MATRIC or the Russian children's visit, contact Steve Noah at (515) 283-1212.