An entrepreneur from Kazan has won the international competition of entrepreneurial projects of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

Entrepreneur Karina Pikuleva with the brand "CARIN CASA" won the nomination "Best Creative Economy Project" at the X International APEC Women's Entrepreneurship Projects Competition "APEC BEST AWARD". 

The international competition was initiated by the Russian Federation in 2016 and supported by all 21 APEC member economies. The finals are held annually as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation events. The competition is attended by female heads of small and medium—sized businesses who own at least 50% of the company, whose projects have been successfully implemented in Russia for 2 to 12 years. 

During the contest, Russian participants became winners four times. The competition, which has become an authoritative international platform for the development and popularization of women's entrepreneurship, as well as the formation of a professional community in the field of management and business, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. 

The organizers are the Council of the Eurasian Women's Forum under the Federation Council in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, the Committee for the Development of Women's Entrepreneurship "SUPPORT of RUSSIA" with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. 

The theme of the anniversary contest is "Common values of women entrepreneurs — Building a sustainable future in the Asia-Pacific region." 13 projects from 12 APEC economies reached the finals of the international stage, which was chaired by South Korea. 

Russia was represented at the finals by entrepreneurs from Kazan and Cherepovets — Karina Pikuleva and Olga Larina, both of whom run manufacturing companies. 

The winner of the competition, Karina Pikuleva, who has grown from a self-employed to a successful entrepreneur, whose products are known in Russia and abroad, heads the production of premium furniture and decorative interior elements, the company's assortment includes more than 120 items. 

The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan provided support in the support, promotion and recognition of the project from Kazan at the federal level. Let us recall that this year the brand became one of the best in Russia according to the version of the All-Russian competition of growing Russian brands "Know ours".

"The victory of the Tatarstan entrepreneur is a significant achievement of Russian entrepreneurship in the international arena, confirming the high level of professionalism of our companies and their competitiveness in the global business community. The success of the domestic brand at such a prestigious competition inspires new achievements, strengthens Tatarstan's business reputation and creates additional opportunities for the development of economic ties in the Asia–Pacific region," said Midkhat Shagiakhmetov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan.