The Far Eastern agenda will be a part of the Business Programme of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum which will take place on 24–26 May. In 2017 the Far East gained the lead among federal districts in terms of the private investment into the region's economy – it amounted to 17.1%, against the Russian average of 4.4%. Factors that lead to such investment climate improvement and the prospects for attracting new investors to the region will become the topic of the panel session ‘Breakthrough in the Far East: How to Become a Leader for Growth in Private Investment’.
“The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is a top ranking reputable global platform for discussion of the most important issues of economic development and fertilizing business environment. The issues of the Far Eastern investment image development and promotion will take a special place in the Forum’s Programme,” said Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov.
Representatives of federal executive bodies, Russian and international business community and leading experts will attend the discussion. The panel session participants will talk about the key aspects of the investment attractiveness of the region, competitive advantages of advanced special economic zones (ASEZs) and the Free Port of Vladivostok (FPV) with preferential regimes for the APR countries, the effectiveness of ASEZs and FPV regimes, and ways to attract new investors to the region.
Investment attractiveness of the region will also become a topic of the business dialogue ‘Russia–Japan’. Previously it was reported that Japan would participate in the SPIEF 2018 as a guest country; Prime Minister Shinzō Abe will head the delegation.
In May 2016 Shinzō Abe presented to the President Vladimir Putin an eight-point plan of cooperation with over 100 potential joint projects, and many of them have already moved from contract signing to the practical implementation. The business dialogue will focus on the achievements and current issues of Russian-Japanese cooperation under the eight-point plan as well as the opportunities and prospects for new business frontiers between the countries.
Further discussion of the potential for advanced social and economic development of the Far East and the integration of the region into the economy of the Asia-Pacific Region countries will resume at the 4th Eastern Economic Forum which will take place on 11–13 September in Vladivostok.
Roscongress Foundation – a major organizer of congress and exhibition events
The Roscongress Foundation was founded in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic potential and strengthening the country’s image by organizing conventions, exhibitions, and public events. The Foundation develops substantive content for such events, providing companies and organizations with advice, information, and expert guidance, and offering comprehensive evaluation, analysis, and coverage of the Russian and global economic agendas. It offers administrative services and promotional support for business projects and helps to attract investment, including in the form of public-private partnerships.
Today, its annual programme includes events held from Montevideo to Vladivostok, offering an opportunity to bring together global business leaders, experts, the media, and government officials in one place, creating favourable conditions for dialogue and the promotion of new ideas and projects, and assisting in the creation of social enterprise and charity projects.