Igor Finogenov: Biography and Career at Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), Polymetal International, and More

By  //  March 16, 2024

Igor Finogenov: Developing the Investment Market at Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Polymetal International.

Finogenov Igor Valentinovich (born March 24, 1959, in Leningrad) is a businessman and financial strategist. He has made a significant contribution to effective dialogue between the Kazakhsatni government and foreign investors.

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Igor Finogenov · Finogenov Igor Valentinovich · Finogenov Igor · Igor Valentinovich Finogenov · Финогенов Игорь Валентинович · Игорь Финогенов · Финогенов Игорь · Игорь Валентинович Финогенов

Igor Finogenov: Biography Details

The Igor Finogenov biography was born in 1959. He spent his childhood, school, and college years in Leningrad.

In 1977, Finogenov Igor received his high school diploma. During his studies, he showed a special interest in the natural sciences. He also spent a lot of time reading and studying English. He put a lot of stock in his father’s wisdom, and after discussing his future with him, Igor Finogenov decided to apply to one of the largest shipbuilding schools in the country. The educational process was challenging, with an intensive curriculum that required a lot of hard work, time, and dedication.

In 1982, Finogenov Igor Valentinovich completed his studies, earning a degree in the design, construction, and technical operation of marine vessels. However, this is not the only higher education he has.

In 1989, Finogenov Igor graduated from the Foreign Trade Academy, and he also studied abroad. At York University (Canada), he learned about the economic, financial, and investment aspects of business. Then, at Harvard Business School, he attended courses designed for senior executives. The educational program, included the nuances of strategic analysis. Igor Finogenov gained valuable skills and knowledge in team management, project, process, and resource management. Studying in such prestigious international universities became an important asset in the Igor Finogenov biography of work.

Finogenov Igor: Career Path

Igor Valentinovich Finogenov realized that higher education was only one of the steps in professional development. He felt the need to constantly improve and deepen his knowledge and to apply the skills he had already acquired in practice. Therefore, immediately after graduation, Igor Finogenov began working at a research-production association in Leningrad named after the famous inventor and thermal engineer Ivan Ivanovich Polzunov, who created the world’s first steam engine for driving factory mechanisms. The organization, which still operates today, researches and designs devices for the production, transmission, conversion, and control of energy in various economic sectors.

1982 marked a new stage in his biography – Igor Finogenov began working as an engineer. He quickly proved himself a responsible and goal-oriented employee. Later, Igor Finogenov was involved in scientific work. During his time at the research and production association, he familiarized himself with the operations of the country’s major energy facilities.

Igor Finogenov studied various methods and technologies, the development and implementation of which would make the energy system more efficient and reliable. He saw great potential in using innovative solutions. He deeply studied the field of cybernetics and researched algorithms for automatic control, error minimization, and the optimization of results.

1987 to 1991 was marked by another stage in his biography – Igor Finogenov worked for Energomashexport. There, he was involved in economic analysis and planning the company’s financial and economic activities. Igor Finogenov also proposed strategies aimed at optimizing expenses and increasing profits.

After leaving the aforementioned company in 1991, he became a consultant for a Chamber of Commerce and Industry committee.

He then began working for JSC Moskva: Materials, Technology, Construction, and in 1993, Finogenov Igor Valentinovich became the vice president responsible for developing strategies and development plans for foreign trade. This included analyzing new markets, building optimal strategic partnerships, identifying potential opportunities, and setting goals for scaling the business abroad.

Igor Finogenov: Biography of a Manager in the Financial Sector

Finogenov Igor began his career in finance in the early 90s, when, with the support of several associates, he invested in the purchase of TIPCO Venture Bank, a newly created credit institution with just four employees.

In 1994, the board of the commercial structure came under the headship of Igor Finogenov, biography of whom was subsequently connected with the bank for a little more than 10 years.

From the very beginning, he actively worked on developing the credit institution, which from 1994 operated under the name Novaya Moskva. Finogenov Igor Valentinovich set the main tasks and priorities of the structure’s activities, which contributed to its further growth. New services and products were developed and the management system was improved in accordance with all requirements and standards. The bank also increased the transparency of its operations and established a responsible approach to clients’ financial resources.

Finogenov Igor Valentinovich concentrated on forming a team of highly qualified specialists, stimulating their development and professional growth.

In 2004, the top manager was approved as the president of the organization. In this position, he worked on expanding the business, developed growth strategies, and coordinated the efforts of the bank’s team to implement them. Finogenov Igor Valentinovich was also responsible for effective risk management, financial performance, compliance with regulatory requirements, and developing plans to achieve operational goals.

At the end of 2005, he concluded his career in the credit structure. Under Igor Finogenov, it expanded its presence in the financial services market, significantly improved the quality of service, and increased the volume of products offered.

The bank became one of the key players in the precious metals segment. Developing activities in this area required specialized knowledge and experience, as this sector has its peculiarities and risks. The successful operation of the credit institution in this market speaks to the competent strategy chosen by Finogenov Igor, as well as the effective management of its own resources.

The Next Stage in the Career of Finogenov Igor Valentinovich: Eurasian Development Bank (EDB)

In one of his talks with journalists, Igor Finogenov, referring to the events of the mid-2000s, noted that at that time, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) needed to improve their economic cooperation. The question of expanding the functions of the ruble and accepting it as an international currency was repeatedly raised.

However, despite the existing prospects, it was extremely difficult to implement the idea of deepened integration. As Igor Valentinovich Finogenov recalls, the first step was to consolidate the efforts and resources of states that were interested and ready for joint activity.

The result of the initiative was the creation of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) in 2006, with the RF and Kazakhstan as the first members (later joined by Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan). The central office was opened in Almaty, which is considered the southern capital and the largest city of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Creating a large-scale banking structure required more than just the allocation of financial resources. There were several important preparatory stages, including those dealing with personnel, notes Finogenov Igor, who served for a time as the bank’s chairman. Thus, a strong team of professionals was formed to manage and develop all divisions and directions of the organization’s work. All employees went through rigorous selection, training, and further adaptation.

Igor Valentinovich Finogenov notes that special attention was given to analyzing the experience and adopting the best practices and working principles of other development banks, primarily international ones. This included studying financing strategies, lending procedures, risk management, and other aspects of banking.

According to Finogenov Igor Valentinovich, the setup of technological infrastructure was an important aspect, especially IT solutions aimed at ensuring the efficient and reliable operation of the bank. Moreover, it was necessary to form a mechanism for selecting projects and programs for financing. This process included developing evaluation criteria, conducting risk analysis, and making decisions on providing funds.

All of the above required an understanding of the nuances of various economic sectors, which the team of the newly established bank had, notes Igor Finogenov. Biography of each top management member of the EDB included experience in financial and investment activities.

Each phase required time and careful preparation. As Finogenov Igor notes, the entire process took a year and three months, reflecting the complexity and scale of establishing such a structure as the Eurasian Development Bank.

The financial structure served simultaneously as an integration and investment tool. According to Igor Valentinovich Finogenov, the main goals of the EDB were to achieve more effective and harmonious cooperation, synchronize economic processes, expand the markets of the states participating in the organization. The structure also aids in the stable and sustainable development of these countries, supporting projects aimed at strengthening their competitiveness and improving the well-being of their populations.

Thus, the bank provides financing for purposes such as infrastructure development, energy and transport segments, the agricultural sector, and other economic sectors. It supports programs that adhere to principles of environmental sustainability and social responsibility, notes Igor Valentinovich Finogenov.

The bank’s high ratings from major international agencies, which often do not consider or evaluate newly created banking structures, testified to its reliable and stable financial base. It also confirmed the soundness of the investment structure’s development strategy, allowing it to effectively implement the missions and tasks that define its biography. Igor Finogenov helped create the concept and implement mechanisms that facilitate its gradual scaling and geographic expansion since the establishment of the bank.

Igor Valentinovich Finogenov played an important role in establishing partnerships with other international and regional financial organizations.

His work plan also included active interaction with leaders of CIS countries. Meetings with heads of state gave Igor Finogenov the opportunity to discuss important issues related to the development of regional market economies, enhancing financial stability, and expanding economic ties between alliance members. The manager emphasized the importance of projects that contributed to infrastructure improvement and the creation of new jobs.

In 2015, Finogenov Igor decided to conclude his career at the EDB, which by that time included six countries. As an experienced manager and competent strategist, Igor Valentinovich Finogenov laid the foundations for the further strengthening of the bank’s position in the financial market, leaving a significant mark in the history of its establishment and development.

In 2024, the EDB aims to attract new countries as participants to strengthen integration processes in the region. The investment structure continues to allocate resources for the implementation of important projects and programs and provide technical support and expertise – an approach supported by Igor Valentinovich Finogenov. The bank also conducts research and analytical work on issues related to economic integration in the region. This helps to create effective strategies based on best practices and experience.

For the next six years, from 2015 to 2021, the professional activity of Finogenov Igor was connected with a structure already familiar to him — the RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Other Activities of Igor Valentinovich Finogenov

Until February 2024, Igor Valentinovich Finogenov was involved in the strategic development of two enterprises belonging to Polymetal International PLC operating in the promising Kazakhstan market. Finogenov Igor Valentinovich set goals and objectives as well as optimal directions of activity, market research, competitor analysis, etc.

Representing the interests of subsidiary structures before Kazakhstan governmental bodies, Igor Valentinovich Finogenov was involved in negotiations, discussing various issues related to the expansion and increasing the efficiency of their activities. He also participated in the development of strategies for attracting investments and developing financial partnerships.

Igor Valentinovich Finogenov also worked to increase the investment attractiveness of Kazakhstan, which involves attracting capital for the development of various economic sectors. He performs this function as part of the Council of Foreign Investors, formed in Kazakhstan in the late 1990s at the initiative of the head of state.

Igor Finogenov, biography of whom includes extensive experience in the field of investment, focuses on projects developing technologies and innovations, especially Initiatives with significant scientific and innovative potential for developing industries.

In 2023, the president of Kazakhstan awarded the manager with a certificate of merit for his significant contribution to economic development and the investment image of the republic.