On 10 December, Chelyabinsk hosted a St. Petersburg
International Economic Forum (SPIEF) session entitled «Russias Regions: New
Areas of Growth. Infrastructure for Development». The event was organized by
the Roscongress Foundation in cooperation with the Russian Export Center and
the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. It was 2018s final regional session in a
series that aimed to expand investment opportunities, develop the export
potential of the regions, and promote specific areas.
«New
Areas of Growth» in Chelyabinsk drew a great deal of interest among
representatives of government bodies and entrepreneurs based in the region.
Among those taking part in discussions were leading experts in economics,
business, public-private partnership and investment, as well as members of the
NGO sector and the media.
Boris Dubrovsky, Governor of Chelyabinsk Region, emphasized
the importance of the SPIEF Regional Session, «There is a focus on major investment
projects in Chelyabinsk Region. The best regional platforms are the ones to
play host to Russias Regions: New Areas of Growth. Chelyabinsk needs to
become a leading city in Russia with some of the best infrastructure for
conventions and exhibitions. It needs also to possess the experience of hosting
high-level international events in the run-up to the SCO and BRICS summits in
2020.»
The central event in the business programme was the plenary session.
Among those in attendance were Vadim Zhivulin, Deputy Minister of Economic
Development of the Russian Federation; Sergey Morev, Chief Federal Inspector
for Chelyabinsk Region; Sergey Smolnikov, Minister of Economic Development of
Chelyabinsk Region; Alexey Valkov, Director of the St. Petersburg
International Economic Forum; Alexander Malakh, Director for Regional Projects
and Head of the Center for Investment Promotion at the Russian Direct
Investment Fund; Dmitry Tvardovsky, General Director of InfraVEB; Sergey
Brevnov, General Director of Ural Highway; and Alexander Dolgov, Partner at the
global law firm Squire Patton Boggs. The event was moderated by Maksim Tkachenko,
Executive Director of the PPP Development Center.
A key topic at the plenary session was the process of
establishing institutions and mechanisms to support industrial development in
the Russian regions. Discussions focused on issues related to developing
regional infrastructure and improving support for investors.
The business programme then continued with a
presentation session entitled «Promising PPP Projects in the Region». The event provided
attendees with the opportunity to learn about the stages in place today to
develop the public-private partnership system in Chelyabinsk Region. The
presentation programme was based on the agenda of the ROSINFRA Infrastructure
Congress a series of events focusing on the development of infrastructure and
public-private partnership organized by the Roscongress Foundation and PPP
Development Center.
The events closing remarks were given by Alexey
Valkov, Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, who
underscored the importance of holding SPIEF regional sessions. «As a project,
New Areas of Growth has existed for three years. Over that time, more than 15
events have already been organized in various regions across Russia. We have
seen a great deal of interest from both government and the business community.
Free and open discussions on important aspects of collaboration, and a format
which we maintain for these SPIEF regional sessions help achieve maximum
synergy between participants. We would be delighted to see all guests who
attended our regional sessions at our key event in June next year the St.
Petersburg International Economic Forum. There, we will have the opportunity to
draw conclusions and build plans for the future,» he said.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will
take place on 68 June 2019.
The SCO and BRICS summits will be held in July 2020 in
Chelyabinsk.