References

Paula Portugal, International Projects Manager, ABIMO (2011)

"The Lighthouse Group has accepted an amazing challenge in finding clients for Brazilian health devices in Russia. As Brazilian medical companies are still not known in Russia, as they are in other regions like Latin and North America, the Lighthouse Group worked hard to promote our companies. We understand it was a great job with the participation of high qualified clients on our event. We are glad to say that we returned ABIMO's and APEX's investments, since our Brazilian companies have already closed deals with Russian clients. I also would like to point out that the presentation from Mr. Jeroen Ketting was a brilliant preparation for our companies to understand the complicated Russian market. Thank you for your dedication."

Dennis Mulder, Export Manager AGU B.V. (2011)

"Being part of a trade mission representing the Dutch sporting industry, I have experienced the dedicated way of working of the Lighthouse Team. After an intensive and proactive briefing prior to the mission, the final match making in Moscow went flawless. Due to their detailed preparations, Lighthouse made sure the participants of the mission only needed to worry about their own match making meetings. Several field trips were organized by Lighthouse, visiting interesting and relevant companies, giving the participants of the mission the necessary inside of doing business in Russia."

Olga Zabotina, Alumni Officer Nuffic Neso Russia (2011)

"Nuffic Neso Russia - official representative of Dutch higher education in Russia invited Jeroen Ketting to present a workshop on the topic "Networking" for the Russian alumni of Dutch universities. Having a unique experience of business negotiations in both the Dutch and Russian business environment Jeroen Ketting made a great presentation and taught the alumni how to use networking successfully in their lives and careers. The alumni were very satisfied with the presentation, and we hope that this will be the starting point for our further prosperous cooperation. It's a pleasure for me to thank here Jeroen Ketting again."

Ton Sas, Animal Nutritionist, Provimi (2011)

"Herewith I thank you very much for the organisation of the trade mission to Belgorod. You did an excellent job. Knowing how difficult it is, although persons promise to come, I was pleasantly surprised that we had several fruitful meetings during the match making. Also the visit to the Agro-holding resulted in several discussions between the management of the Agro-holding and the representatives of the Dutch companies. The overall organization was excellent. We have started the follow up of the meetings and we have the confidence that positive results will follow. I wish you good luck in the business and hope you will remain in good health!"

Trea Klaarenbeek, Managing Director, Jos de Vries International B.V. (2010)

"Lighthouse offers us complete practical support and has assisted in the expansion of our Moscow office. Professional advice and consultancy in formal matters such as extending our incorporated RO (representative office); the excellent and (almost) peer support of our Russian employee who, as a result, does not feel like she is working alone in Moscow but receives a lot of support from the ‘warmth' of the Lighthouse team; the perfect way in which our RO administration is processed by the team and the pleasant, quick and proper way in which all our questions are answered or detailed. We have been so satisfied with this first year that we would like to continue to make use of Lighthouse's services in 2011!"

Nico De Nijs, CEO, SafeSpace (2010)

"Lighthouse supported SafeSpace very well in finding an appropriate first location in Moscow for our self storage business. They not only found this in a timely and professional way but also secured good progress in the initial phase of the negotiation process. We want to thank the team of Lighthouse for a job well done!"

Hans van Marlen, Export Manager, Pintsch Aben (2010)

"After years of trying ourselves, we recently secured a first concrete contract with the Russian Railways. The support of Lighthouse was crucial not only in securing the contract, but also in the strategic positioning of the project within the Russian Railways. Lighthouse is our indispensable partner for our business in Russia."

Paul van de Kerkhof, Managing Director, Nordics/CEE Randstad Holding (2010)

"Lighthouse delivered important input in assessing the Russian market for our services. We appreciated their hands-on approach, great knowledge of Russian (business) culture and speed to come up with tangible results. It showed Lighthouse knows their way around in a complex environment."

Mark Beumer, Director Operations, EBK (2010)

"As our company was relatively new on the Russian market, we had to find our way in both the Russian culture and structure. Lighthouse has proven to be a partner, which not only provides answers to questions asked, but also pro-actively thinks with us. Their experience and pro-active approach helped us to gain experience ourselves and enabled us to set up a successful business."

Louis van Os, Partner, First Incentive B.V. (2010)

"I want to thank you all for a very successful program with the Dutch Butchers Association!! Overall the presentation at the Ritz and the company visits really met the expectations of the group. Especially the meeting at Mikoyan was overwhelming and very special for the group. Also the assistance of Anastasia and Olga was highly appreciated. Thanks again and I will certain come back to you in case of future projects."

Carine Bosman, Export Director, Attends Healthcare AB (2010)

"Lighthouse successfully assisted us in assessing the Russian market, market potential and to identify a Russian partner. We appreciated to work with Lighthouse. They were effective and transparent in communication. Whenever we have a new project on board, which should be handled through a consultant, we will not hesitate to contact them again."

Ardy Assink, Director of the International Trade Department, Chamber of Commerce Limburg (2010)

"We can look back at a successful organised factfinding mission logistics and a visit to the fair Transrussia Moscow. It was a great pleasure to do business with the Lighthouse Russia. We recommend the Lighthouse Russia to everyone who wants to do business with Russia."

Sasha Baillie, Consul, the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Russia (2010)

"Thank you so much for your excellent organisation of the trade mission matchmaking. I had very positive echoes from our companies. It was a successful mission and our Prince and the Minister were very satisfied."

Myriam Dallanoce, General Director, Interlux Assurances Maladie S.A. (2010)

"All in all, we were satisfied with the work done by the Lighthouse team and we recommend them to everyone who wants to enter the Russian market".

Paul Jacob Bins, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, APM Terminals Management BV (part of the AP Moller-Maersk Group) (2009)

"Our big thanks to Jeroen and his Lighthouse team for the professional and practical support we received, to evaluate certain Russian growth opportunities!! We have all benefited a lot from your hands-on approach, clear credibility on how Russia really works and personal network and experiences. Moreover, I have enjoyed working with you personally, as always. Wishing you good luck for 2010 and be sure that whenever the opportunity arises, we will ask you for your help again."

Jonathan Sheldrick, ANT Trust & Corporate Services (2009)

"Thanks again for your major contribution to the success of the presentation in Moscow. I think it's fair to say that the assistance and encouragement of the Lighthouse team, Jeroen's more than capable chairmanship coupled with the boost in attendance generated by the last minute mailing made the difference between success and mediocrity."

Anja Hendrikx, Limburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Belgium (2009)

"We appreciated the presentation of Jeroen Ketting of Lighthouse during our International Business week. Our companies were impressed by his knowledge of the Russian market. His tips and tricks for entering the Russian market were very practical and much appreciated. We recommend Jeroen Ketting to everyone who wants to do business with Russia."

Igor Stroganov, Event Producer, Impressmedia (2009)

"Jeroen has participated as a moderator in the 1st Green & Sustainable Development Conference that was organized by our company. His performance as a moderator was a pleasure to both speakers and audience. During his session he presented its topic with clearness, masterfully guided the discussion and led people to asking questions and voicing their opinions on the subject of the discussion. All in all we are happy we invited Jeroen to led this session and of course we will try to include him in our next events."

Marinus Overheul, Agricultural Counselor, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moscow (2009)

"We can look back at a very well organized and successful Holland trade mission during the World Food 2009 in Moscow. The attendance by representatives of wholesale and retail companies during the business match making session was better than expected. So many thanks to Vincent and others of the Lighthouse staff that helped to make this mission a success."

Dago van Balberghe, Export Manager, CIBO N.V. (2009)

"The Lighthouse Group has been a very trustworthy partner during our first adventures in Russia. They supported us actively with good advice and offered us their profound experience of the Russian Market. Truly they are one of the most important reasons why we were able to put our first steps on Russian soil successfully. We would have never been able to do it without them."

Ton Bouwer, Commercial Director, Lutèce B.V. (2009)

"We really appreciated the involvement of the Lighthouse team in the development of a market entry strategy for Lutèce BV in Russia. The outcome of the research is a great help to support the market entry in a complicated market as Russia. Thanks to all of you for the good work."

Marc Dokter, Commercial Director, Enkev B.V. (2009)

"Working with Lighthouse has been a very good experience for our company. Their complete staff is very professional and is extremely committed to get the job done in time. Since doing business in Russia has some particular dynamics I recommend anyone who wants to do business in Russia to get in touch with Lighthouse."

Martin Verhoeven, Chief Financial Officer, Trust International B.V. (2009)

"It has been a great pleasure to do business with Lighthouse. We were assisted by them in a fast and professional way. Thanks to them we were able to make a quick start on the Russian market."

Max Commandeur, Regional Manager, Booking.com (2009)

"Thanks for all the great help, it's all about the extra efforts done by Birgit and the Lighthouse team that gave Booking.com a flying start in Russia. Only two months after my first visit, we started operations with 6 employees in Moscow! I look forward to meeting you again at the office opening drink on the roof terrace of our new office!"

Bill Wiggenhorn, Principal, Main Captiva LLC (2009)

"Jeroen has participated as a thought leader in two leadership program designed and managed by my firm. The clients, both large multi nationals, have loved his presentation style, his directness in presenting information regarding Russia and his ability to assist them in seeing opportunities for their business in the future of Russia and eastern Europe."

Bert Janson, International Trade Consultant, Chamber of Commerce Eastern Netherlands (2008)

"Our Chamber of Commerce organized a fact-finding mission to Moscow for companies active in the poultry sector. Lighthouse supported us in organizing this mission. All the participants, without exceptions, complimented me on the informative program and excellent organization. Lighthouse delivers quality service. Furthermore, it is certainly an advantage to work with a Western managed company, such as Lighthouse, which is located in Russia. This minimizes communication problems and eases the adaption to the specific Russian business culture."

Jan-Wouter Hasselaar, President, Hatraco Technische Handelsonderneming B.V. (2008)

"First of all, I would like to thank you and your colleagues for the support that has been given to us by Lighthouse in the past year. Your efforts have been crucial for us to start up our own company and clearly, without your help we would not have been able to succeed."

Hans van Schaik, Sales Manager, SACO Airport Equipment B.V. (2008)

"I would like to thank you and the crew at Lighthouse for the preparations and excellent support prior to and during the mission to Russia. For me, it was a very successful mission and all the matchmaking contacts that I met were of top quality."

Marnix van der Moolen, Vice-President, Promocean (2008)

"To start a new company in Russia is close to impossible without local support you can fully trust. Lighthouse did give this support to Promocean. All issues related to the establishment of our company were solved in a very smooth way by Jeroen and his team. Legal support, search for employees, finding a location and many more was all operated by Lighthouse. A job well done!!"

Jos Hermsen, Project Manager, EVD International Business and Corporation (2008)

"Dear Lighthouse staff, thank you so much for organizing the matchmaking events in Moscow and in Nizhni Novgorod during the trade mission headed by Mr. Frank Heemskerk, Minister for Foreign Trade. You all did an excellent job. Keep up the good work!"

Han Wannet, Director, GLOBE Airmotors B.V. (2008)

"GLOBE is very satisfied about the professional way Lighthouse searches for new business leads. They know the market and market developments of the Russian Federation well which results in good leads for new business leads."

Trudi van Spankeren, Project Manager, The Dutch Association of Suppliers of Environmental Technologies (VLM) (2008)

“Lighthouse did an excellent job for our participants. They organized matchmaking for them at the Ecwatech exhibition in Moscow in June 2008. All participants were satisfied and I heard that there is already follow-up. In future we want to cooperate again with Lighthouse.”

Paul Verlinden, Manager International Relations, Royal Metaalunie (2008)

"In my role as organizer for an EVD trade mission to Moscow with 17 of our members, I was very happy to see that we can rely on such great support from a professional organization that helps Dutch companies in realizing their goals on the Russian market. I will definitely be in touch with Lighthouse the next time Moscow is on our agenda."

Albina Tsvetkova, Project Manager, ECORYS-NEI (2008)

"With great pleasure we have invited Jeroen as a speaker for the EU-Study Weeks, a project funded by the EC Delegation in Russia, and every time his performance exceeded our expectations. His brilliant and smart presentations are always highly appreciated by the audience consisting of Russian students and postgraduates. His presentations are based on valuable practical experience and always stand out among the other presentations. Again and again we receive requests to invite Jeroen for the next session. We would like to thank Lighthouse and Jeroen for our cooperation and hope it will continue in the future."

Frank Balk, General Manager, Altronic Europe B.V. (2007)

"It has been a worthwhile trade mission trip to Almaty for us. It has been very well organized and the meetings in general matched well. At least 2 of them may finally worked out in new business of good size. The rest will need further follow-up by ourselves for the moment. Thanks for all the work that has been put into this mission event."

Alphons Wijnen, Area Manager Central and Eastern Europe, Gemco International B.V. (2007)

“Also in the name of Jan Willem, a word of thanks for the proper organization of the matchmaking event during the trade mission to Almaty. We have had a good week which has confirmed our intention to step up activities in Kazakhstan. Well done thus, look forward to participate a next time in a new mission, new region.”

Jacques Roozendaal, Regional Expert Manager, Gunnebo AB (2007)

"First of all thanks to you and your team for organizing this matchmaking, which was not an easy job. If follow up is needed from our side we will surely ask for your help and it is good to know."

Arnoud de Geus, Business Development Manager, Sioux Embedded Systems B.V. (2007)

“We would very much like to thank you for the support you gave us last week, during the second round of interviews. Lighthouse is very service oriented, and I thought the process went very well.”

Michiel van Erkel, Region Manager PSOM Program, Netherlands Foreign Trade Agency (EVD) (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)

"Lighthouse was successfully involved in a number of PSO(M)-projects in Russia and I very much appreciated their continuous professional and helpful attitude. Lighthouse genuinely knows what it is doing and achieves results, which are a bridge too far for others. Personally and still to this day, I think it was an amazing stunt to formally locate the PSO energy measuring van next to the Kremlin for an opening ceremony by H.E. Mr. Jan-Peter Balkenende in November 2007!"

Sebastian Choquette, Export Manager, Helly Hansen ASA (2006)

"Jeroen, thank you for all your help and know that Helly Hansen will be using your services in the future."

Mauricio Gutierrez Matta, Sales Executive, Diolen Industrial Fibers B.V. (2004-2006)

"Through this way I would like to thank you for the support and guidance during my trip last week to Russia. Your team did their utmost best to help me to reach our goal in Russia and I hope that this will continue in the coming months."

Fred van der Meer, Project Manager Russia, Netherlands Foreign Trade Agency (EVD) (2004/2005/2006)

"I have enjoyed working with you. Professional, excellent service attitude, pleasant personality and no trouble was too much. Thanks to you and your colleagues our visit to Moscow has been a great success. Depending on the destinations we will choose for next years' visit to Russia I hope we get a chance to work together again."

Hendrik van Prooije, Director, Peja International (2000-2005)

"For more than five years now we are successfully co-operating with Lighthouse on a wide range of projects establishing joint ventures and production facilities in various regions in Russia and in different sectors of industry. Our experience regarding co-operation with Lighthouse has always been very positive and we highly value the input of Lighthouse. It is with pleasure that we recommend Lighthouse as a reliable and well performing business partner."

Bas Hilferink, Director Strategic Planning European Container Division, International Paper (2005)

"Lighthouse helped us to find a location for a greenfield box plant in Russia. They were very quick in understanding our requirements and came up with various suggestions for a location. We liked the speed, dedication and working style of the Lighthouse team."

Rikus Stuut, Sales Manager, Apparatenfabriek Helpman B.V. (2005)

"All the compliments from our side for you and your team for the good and professional organization during the Business to Business (B2B) Matchmaking event. We are very pleased with almost all the leads/prospects we met last week and we faced a very positive attitude for developing business in the near future."

Alexander Vissers, International Area Sales Manager, Bison International (2005)

"Thank you for the valuable information gathered regarding the Russian adhesive market and possible distributors. We consider it a job well done."

Ben Deiters, Senior Manager Business Development, Association FME-CWM (2004)

"I would like to thank the Lighthouse team for their excellent cooperation and support in the preparation and execution of the EPC-Oil and Gas-Business to Business (B2B) Matchmaking event, which took place from 28 November till 1 December 2004 in Moscow. The input and experience of Lighthouse contributed a lot to the implementation of our mutual project. Looking forward to team up with Lighthouse in the future."

Ton van Dokkum, Business Unit Manager Oil & Gas, Future Pipe Industries (2005)

"Proficiat met het tot nu toe behaalde resultaat. Jullie inbreng en ervaring heeft mede daartoe bijgedragen dat we snel het resultaat hebben kunnen verwezenlijken."

Cees Verbeek, Manager Total Quality Management, ABB Lummus Heat Transfer B.V. (2004)

"During a period of more than 2 years, ABB Lummus Heat Transfer B.V. has been working with Lighthouse Business Management Russia B.V. as a cooperating partner on the execution of a PSO+ project in the Nizhniy Novgorod region. We were very pleased with the professional attitude demonstrated during the execution of the project, supported by an in-depth knowledge of current business developments in the Russian Federation."

M.Th. (René) de Kok, Director, Royal Haskoning France (2004)

"The Lighthouse team produced exactly the deliverables that we required."

Martine Oosterom, Communication Specialist, CIMCOOL Industrial Products B.V. (2004)

"I have finished reading your entire report and I must make my compliments to everybody that participated in the making of it. It is an excellent job with much valuable information in it."

Ivar Koop, President, Stroymoda (2004)

"Lighthouse played an instrumental role in attracting finance for the establishment of our production facilities for the production of office doors in St. Petersburg and provided effective interim management services in getting the project of the ground, once the finance was secured."

Lennard de Klerk, Project Officer, Carboncredits.nl (2004)

"The due diligence report made by Lighthouse was very useful in getting insider information on 'who-is-who' in Russian business."

Annemarie Destrée, Information Manager Russia, Netherlands Foreign Trade Agency (EVD) (2003)

"I would like to specifically compliment the team that was involved in drafting the report on food processing and packaging machinery. There is a very high demand for it."

Aldert van der Wijk, Grolsch (2003)

"An excellent job! Lighthouse provided the reliability and professionalism we needed for our project in Russia."

Jacob Kielman, Director Gas Purchasing, Gasunie Trade & Supply (2003)

"For over two and a half years, Lighthouse has proven to be the perfect partner for Gasunie Trade & Supply contributing to our activities in Russia by providing us with valuable assistance, advice and business facilitation services."

Claude Molinaro, Economic Department, Embassy of Luxembourg (2002)

"During spring 2002 Lighthouse organized all matchmaking services on behalf of the Embassy of Luxembourg for an economic mission, which took place in June 2002.The organization of the business to business meetings were done in a very professional and satisfying way by the members of the Lighthouse team."