Currency - the most popular and recognised word amongst all people, the one that elicits similar response in the mind of each and every individual.

Currency is the most vital instrument in the world trade and socio-economic relations. It is truly the greatest economic invention of the human kind; one that promotes continued global development and growth. The first banknotes appeared in Russia after December 29, 1768, when in accordance with Manifest signed into law by Empress Catherine The Great, Russia started manufacturing paper money. Since then, Russia has become the world's greatest producer of banknotes and its invaluable expertise in that particular area remains unmatched to this day.

Russia's history of money manufacturing is fascinating. For instance, as a result of Napoleon's assault on Russia and his deliberate attempts to flood the country with fake banknotes, Emperor Alexander I was forced to come up with then the most innovative paper-manufacturing and currency printing technology, henceforth called Expedition for Manufacturing Government Notes, which provided most reliable protection from subsequent attempts to manufacture counterfeit money.

The project was designed and constructed by a giant in the world of science, Spain's Augustin Betankour, who was also an honorary member of France's Academy of Sciences.

On August 21, 1818 (Gregorian calendar) Russia's National council approved formation of Expedition for Manufacturing Government Notes. The art and protective qualities of Russian banknotes are renowned throughout the world. Inventions of the special printing methods and processes by the famous Orloff in Russia radically improved the security aspects and overall appearance (contrast) of paper money. Currently, technology and protective qualities of Russian banknotes and valuable paper products correspond to global achievements, while scientists tirelessly work on innovating and devising even more superior security technology.

Thus, Russia's current production of banknotes is technologically advanced in each and every aspect, offering a variety of unique printing methods, which guarantees the manufacturing of high quality paper money with total protection. They conduct strict accounting and quality control of the product, and ensure its compliance with world standards.

The history of «Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga» (International Book) is closely tied to that of the Soviet Union itself. On June 14, 1921 V.I. Lenin signed decree titled «Law on Acquiring and Distributing Foreign Literature», on the basis of which a Russian-German joint enterprise called «KNIGA» (Book) was established in Berlin. Its goals were import and export of books and other printed materials. «KNIGA’s» capital belonged entirely to the Soviet Union, and its chairman and head of the Board of directors was USSR's trade representative to Germany, B.S. Stomonyakov. The Council on Books operated under the auspices of USSR's National Committee on Foreign Trade and handled overall management of all issues associated with «KNIGA»'s operations.

In 1922 joint venture «KNIGA» opened a branch in Moscow under the name «Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga» (International Book), which on April 11, 1923 by special decree of the USSR Council on Labor and Defence was reorganised into a joint-stock corporation with the same name. All shares of the newly established corporation were owned exclusively by the government of the Soviet Union, thus making it a state entity. Later, pursuant to government-issued special decrees, «Mezhdunarodnaya KNIGA»'s list of merchandise started to include books, records, audio and video technology, machine parts, antiques, precious stones, philately, collectable coins and banknotes.

In April 2003 «Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga» has celebrated its 80th anniversary as leader in the international promotion of Russian art and culture. Merchandise manufactured with participation of «Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga», such as top quality printed materials, music, fine art, philately, and other goods, and is widely known domestically as it is worldwide. The Order of the International Friendship bestowed upon «Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga» serves as proof of the Organisation's invaluable contribution. Also, honorary awards such as «Golden Mercury», «Export Leader» and «Best Trade Mark» were given to «Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga» for its part in promoting economic cooperation throughout the world.

Recent market reforms and socio-political changes in our country demand new economic approaches and special emphasis on restructuring and retargeting various aspects of world trade. Operational restructuring is needed for «Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga» to effectively compete on the market, which deals with the manufacture of security papers and documents. Based on these principles, «Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga» decided to form a new commercial entity in the form of Limited Liability Company, «MK-SP» (Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga - Security Papers). «MK-SP» specialises in the production of banknotes and the development of special paper used to manufacture money both in Russia and abroad, as well as the manufacturing of federal tax forms, postage stamps and documents. «MK-SP» employs top specialists with international experience and background in working with raw materials on the most technologically advanced equipment. The company's expert consultants head the re-outfitting and installation of new technology at all of Russia's paper and coin manufacturing facilities operated by GOZNAK. They also oversee the re-outfitting of the paper manufacturing plant in Uzbekistan, printing factories used by national banks in Bulgaria and Cambodia, production lines at metal and printing paint manufacturing facilities in Russia, production of special-order goods for the Moscow Bureau of Interpol.