From humble beginnings in Turkmenistan, Igor Makarov didn’t think about the heights he would attain as a worldwide enterprise chief. Transitioning from knowledgeable bicycle owner to a worldwide entrepreneur, he has at all times believed that success isn’t merely a private achievement however a platform to uplift others.

All through his profession, whether or not in sports activities or enterprise, he has persistently held the conviction that life’s true worth lies in making a significant affect. Pushed by this imaginative and prescient, Makarov has devoted himself to empowering people, nurturing abilities, and supporting causes that enable everybody to thrive in a aggressive world.

A Bike owner Veteran Who Empowered a New Wave of Cyclists

Makarov is widely known for his achievements within the enterprise world. Nonetheless, just a few know he was a bicycle owner earlier than changing into a businessman. His love for biking turned his early profession and stays a cherished pastime and favourite pastime right this moment.

Hailing from a sports activities college in Turkmenistan, Makarov proved to be a prodigy, rapidly honing his abilities. At solely 16, he already represented his nation on the World Championships. He confronted surprising challenges throughout his rising profession, from discriminatory practices to unfair therapy. These trials finally led him to step away from aggressive biking.

Nonetheless, “past love by no means dies” certainly; Makarov’s love for the game by no means waned. As an alternative, he pivoted towards a broader mission of nurturing different potential cyclists by establishing the skilled biking workforce Katusha Group. Registered in Switzerland, Katusha was initially funded solely by him for over a decade, reflecting his dedication to nurturing budding cyclists.

From this preliminary funding, Katusha quickly turned a floor for worldwide biking expertise, attaining notable success in prestigious competitions such because the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia. Beneath Makarov’s management, the workforce additional established its place in biking, attracting main European sponsors like Canyon and Alpecin. 

Past the race tracks, Makarov’s contribution to world biking improvement prolonged by means of his function on the UCI Administration Committee and his assist for the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) federations. His initiatives supplied essential assist, selling biking as a sport and embodying the spirit of world camaraderie and competitors.

Turning His Eye on Social Points

From his fruitful years in biking, Makarov then made his mark within the enterprise world. He based his first firm, ITERA Group, in 1992, specializing in client items provide to his native Turkmenistan. The corporate shifted in 1994 when it acquired pure fuel from Turkmenistan in a barter deal for meals merchandise. This turned a place to begin of his enterprise into the oil and fuel sector. 

Constructing on this chance, Makarov steered ITERA into pioneering fuel transportation from Turkmenistan to Ukraine in 1995 and expanded its attain throughout post-Soviet states and Japanese Europe. Over six years, Makarov and ITERA invested in creating 9 oil and fuel fields. The corporate skilled progress and success till an unlucky shift within the oil and fuel sector on the nationwide degree led Makarov to strategically promote ITERA in 2013 and depart the Russian market utterly.

Nonetheless, this conclusion marked a brand new starting for Makarov. In 2015, he based the Europe-based ARETI Worldwide Group, steering his focus towards a various portfolio of investments throughout varied international areas. Primarily based in Cyprus, ARETI has diversified pursuits encompassing power, charity, and sports activities improvement. 

Over the previous 30 years, Makarov’s corporations have initiated and supported varied large-scale charity tasks and occasions, channeling the chief’s dedication to philanthropy and serving to quite a few lives globally. These initiatives earned recognition, together with UNESCO gold certificates and a gold medal.

Among the many notable charitable initiatives led by Makarov and his corporations are the institution of a clinic for adults with autism throughout the Mount Sinai medical advanced in Miami Seashore in 2017, assist for the Draw back-Up Challenge, which aids youngsters with Down syndrome and their households, and the impactful group of the eleventh annual ANF Group Tour de Broward, which raised over $700,000 for the Joe DiMaggio Kids’s Hospital in Hollywood. 

Moreover, Makarov’s initiatives embody grassroots tasks, similar to organizing New Yr’s celebrations and circus occasions for orphaned youngsters, and substantial environmental contributions, like funding the development of a park in Limassol, Cyprus, which serves leisure and ecological functions for Limassol constituents.

When requested why he pursues these charitable initiatives regardless of his success in biking and entrepreneurship, Makarov persistently responds, “Serving to different folks humbles us as a result of we imagine that’s our debt to society.” This precept has impressed Makarov to constantly search methods and alternatives to assist and contribute to society.

Makarov’s Present Endeavors

Makarov’s years of participation in international enterprise have introduced him to Cyprus, the place he now resides and holds citizenship. He actively pursues his hobbies and pursuits within the picturesque Mediterranean nation. 

Regardless of navigating advanced challenges in his enterprise dealings, Makarov stays true to his rules of utilizing his sources and affect to advertise international welfare. The businessman is raring to proceed championing charitable and social causes, significantly tasks tackling and advancing inexperienced power worldwide.