In the Irkutsk region, the regional Buy Local project has launched to support local producers and encourage residents to choose their products. The initiative includes a major ad campaign, fairs, promotions, public oversight of anti crisis measures, and business meetings. Organizers hope it will boost sales of local goods, preserve jobs, and strengthen the regional economy.

The regional communications project “Buy Local” has launched in the Irkutsk Region. Its goal is to support local producers and foster economic patriotism among the residents of the Angara region, so that they give preference first and foremost to products made by local manufacturers.
The project is designed for 2009, but if necessary it can be extended into 2010. It entails a large-scale social advertising campaign in the media, placement of advertisements on billboards in the cities of the Irkutsk Region, and the holding of various promotional campaigns in support of enterprises in the Angara region. Sergei Kurilov noted that all requirements of the federal laws “On Protection of Competition” and “On Advertising” will be observed. According to him, the advertising campaign will take into account all recommendations of the regional office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service for the Irkutsk Region; this issue has already been coordinated with the agency. Special campaigns among journalists are also planned.
Within the framework of the “Buy Local” project, exhibitions and fairs of the same name will be held in the Irkutsk Region. Products from local manufacturers will be presented there. In addition, public oversight of anti-crisis measures in support of enterprises in the Angara region will be organized. For this purpose, a special public coordinating council has been created. Various “anti-crisis sessions” and round tables devoted to the most pressing topics in production, trade, and services will be held especially for representatives of the region’s business community.
- We are talking about getting the population of the Irkutsk Region to vote with their rubles for local producers, said Svetlana Galanova, coordinator of the “Buy Local” project. - To vote for increasing the sales of local products, for ensuring that enterprises in the region preserve jobs. It is important that our region, as a result, preserves its economy, budget revenues, and stable life. This is the main message we want to convey to people through this project.