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Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum 2014

First contract signed at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko signed a contract with IBM East Europe/Asia on cooperation in technical sphere, realization of joint initiatives in planning and complex management of the city’s social and economic development

© ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov

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Business program of St. Petersburg Internation Economic Forum begins

ST. PETERSBURG, May 22. /ITAR-TASS/. The first contract at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2014) has been signed on Thursday with IBM East Europe/Asia. The sides will cooperate in technical sphere, realization of joint initiatives in planning and complex management of the city’s social and economic development.

According to the company’s spokesperson, one of the primary goals is monitoring the transport situation and public utilities in St. Petersburg that will be the foundation for a development concept based on smart city technologies.

“Symbolically, we are signing the forum’s first agreement with the leader in innovations,” said Governor Georgy Poltavchenko. The city development strategy until 2030 was based on the economy of knowledge and innovation, and IBM’s experience would come in useful, he added.

Poltavchenko suggested that the company should expand its presence in Russia by opening laboratories and scientific centers in St. Petersburg. A similar laboratory is already active in Moscow.

IBM General Manager in Central and East Europe David La Rose expressed hope for long-term fruitful cooperation and readiness to share experience in city infrastructure development.

IBM corporation has been one of the major manufacturers and suppliers of hard- and software, IT-services and consulting services for more than a century with the annual investments of about $6 billion.

Investments in the economy of St. Petersburg have not yet been disclosed.

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