Dr. Thons is a German,
a graduate from Moscow University, and he has a profound knowledge
of Russia.
Since June 1996 has being the
representative of the German COMMERZBANK (the third largest bank
in Germany) in Novosibirsk, Dr. Thons gained a firsthand and interesting
experience. COMMERZBANK's Representative Office in Novosibirsk
is the first and only Western Bank in the entire Siberian region
where its goal, primarily, is to develop trustworthy partnerships
with Siberian correspondent banks from Omsk up to Vladivostok.
Reasoning from his Siberian experience, Dr. Thons can say that
a trustworthy partner is much more important here than additional
legal operations, especially when a bad situation becomes worse.
The majority of local business
people is well-educated and well-adapted to their new market environment.
Here in Novosibirsk, the rhythm of life is more moderate than
it is in Moscow and the business environment is more open and
less corrupted than in the capital. The total number of German
officials (German Consulate, German Chamber of Commerce) and businessmen
living more or less permanently in Novosibirsk doesn't exceed
25 individuals. They maintain contacts and cooperate with the
community of Russian Germans as well as suggest banking services
to those who wish to emigrate to Germany.