The business programme of the St. Petersburg International
Economic Forum will include the traditional RussiaFrance business dialogue organized
by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the French-Russian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, MEDEF International and the Roscongress
Foundation. The event will focus on strengthening economic relations between
two countries.
«For many years SPIEF has been one of the leading platforms
for dialogue and strengthening economic ties between Russia and France.
Participation of large French and Russian delegations reflects active interest
in mutually beneficial cooperation and implementation of joint investment
projects. The priority areas include development of digital economy, industry
of the future, as well as protection of climate and environment,» emphasized Alexander
Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
In 2018, France was given the honorary status of SPIEF
guest country. President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President
of France Emmanuel Macron took part in the RussiaFrance Business Dialogue
panel discussion.
The platform for bilateral cooperation in the civil society
area the Trianon Dialogue Forum was created under the patronage of Russian
and French Presidents and is successfully working. Discussions under the
Trianon Dialogue are annually included in the SPIEF business programme.
In 2020, the composition of the RussiaFrance Business
Cooperation Council was changed, and on the Russian side it is now headed by CEO
of Russian Railways Oleg Belozerov.
«2021 was declared the bilateral year of interregional
cooperation between Russia and France. Over the course of 2021, a number of joint
projects in economy, education, healthcare and culture will be organized. I am
certain that the participation of the French delegation in the St. Petersburg
International Economic Forum will kick start new projects and help strengthen
partnerships in key areas,» noted Pavel Chinsky, General Director of the French-Russian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.