OLD TOWN – Nine Russian entrepreneurs arrived in Maine last week to explore and research operating a business in a free market. The group spent part of Wednesday touring LaBree’s Bakery in Old Town.

“They’re all owners of small facilities in Russia,” said Bernie LaBree, owner of the bakery along with his cousins Jim and Dan LaBree. “What they’re here in the United States to do is learn how manufacturing is done in the U.S. They’ll get a tour and learn how we do marketing.”

The three LaBrees gave the Russian group more than just a tour; they offered advice about production, finances and workforce relations.

The Russians came to Maine through the Productivity Enhancement Program, which is being administered by the Center for Citizen Initiatives, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization based in San Francisco. CCI’s goal is to provide management training to Russian business owners in order to improve the Russian economy.

On Dec. 8, 1991, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus met at a hunting lodge near Minsk to sign the Belovezh Agreement, dissolving the Soviet Union and establishing a Commonwealth of Independent States. The agreement marked the fall of communism, which transformed the way business and the economy were run.

“It’s been a dramatic change,” said program facilitator Nadya Senchakova. “It’s gone from government control to private entrepreneurship. This is a vibrant program because of the economy. We think the future belongs to the entrepreneurs. These are the ones that will build up our economy.”

The group is made up of diverse people from all over Russia.

“We come from all over the country and are owners, co-owners or directors or both of private industries,” said Senchakova. “The individuals range from food processors, lawyers, entrepreneurs – you name it.”

Since the beginning of CCI, more than 3,500 Russians have made the journey to America.

The Belfast Rotary Club is sponsoring the group and members have opened their homes to house the visitors during their stay. One Rotarian said the program is a great way to learn about a different culture.

“The program is run through the State Department to bring Russian business people here so they can understand how to run a business in a free market,” said Bruce Starrett, vice president of Penobscot Frozen Foods. “Specifically we’re looking to improve communications, productivity, sales and marketing and safety.”

Funding for the program is through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

During the two-week stay, the group will tour several other Maine businesses, including a distribution center in Augusta, a salmon farm and McCain Foods in Easton.

Avtandil Chaduneli, who owns a fish farm and seafood processing business in Petrozavodsk, Russia, said he made the trip for three reasons.

“I found this program interesting, and last year we started to ship to America, and I wanted to get acquainted with the market,” he said through Senchakova.

Chaduneli said he also wanted to visit the United States. His business, Kivach Co., has moved into the world market, and the owner said he hopes to solidify relations in America.

“I work very closely with several countries in Europe and also in China and hope to see how individuals in the U.S. work,” he said. “As a producer, I’m very interested in learning. I believe we could be of interest to American producers, too.”

Seeing how the two countries differ is another reason for the exchange program.

“One of the points of interest is economic regulations here because it’s more strict in Russia,” Chaduneli said. “Every business is very individualized, but so far I haven’t seen any major differences [in how businesses are run]. The biggest difference is the market.”

Chaduneli hopes to meet potential business partners while in the states.

On their return to Russia, the group members will spend time educating others, said Senchakova.

“When they go back, it’s part of the program that they share with colleagues [what they have learned], so it’s a multiple effect,” she said.

Bernie LaBree said opportunities abound through the program.

“If we can educate people and the world about what freedom is, there will be peace around the world,” he said.