KEY CONCLUSIONS
The pandemic has demonstrated the need for digitalization in Russia and other countries
“Over the past year, Russia has found many answers and come up with suppositions. We have solutions, which we are moving forward. We have to note the breakthrough in digitalization that took place over the past year, because COVID obviously aggravated the citizens’ and businesses’ need for remote interaction and digital services,” Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“The year 2020 did not stop the work of our joint council. It introduced new elements that proved to be effective. We… have found a set of advantages, when more people can join the discussion of certain questions,” Oleg Belozerov, Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Executive Board, Russian Railways.
“Last year was the pivotal moment for digitalization. Naturally, digitalization was important for us even before that, but 2020 proved the need for developing it,” Frederic Oudea, Chief Executive Officer, Societe Generale.
Agenda of the new economy unites countries. Russia and France cooperate in it
“We are shaping institutes of the new economy. We have made new steps toward promoting investment, which is a new infrastructural stage… which will unite our countries and is capable of uniting our businesses. We call for cooperation in every possible way. Moreover, we have existing practices with many French companies,” Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“The work group discusses such topics as city management, which naturally results in tangible cooperation. <…> The embassy will pursue this topic, as it is our priority,” Pierre Levy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic in the Russian Federation.
“Despite political tensions, which is disturbing to us, relations are on a good level. It is important that we are preserving these good economic relations,” Emmanuel Quidet, President, French-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The environmental theme is high on the international agenda
“The discussion that is taking place today is very important, because it is not a discussion about what has been done or what is being done, but about what else can be done, about what our cooperation will be like for the next decade. Both comfortable urban environment and smart cities are obviously matters of digitalization, development of digital ecosystems, platforms, low-carbon development and ‘green agenda'. <...> Two days ago, the State Duma passed the law on greenhouse gas emissions regulation in its third reading, which shapes and launches climate projects in our country,” Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“A lot of work has been done to change the investment ecosystem. The government currently focuses on the green agenda. This is one of our key priorities,” Oleg Belozerov, Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Executive Board, Russian Railways.
PROBLEMS
Contacts between Russian and France are not intensive
“Our economic basis has more potential than our contacts, which can and should be more intensive. We will make all necessary efforts to this end,” Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“We are supporters of renewing, supporting, and developing international cooperation in both business and education. I would very much like to see closer cooperation with our French partners in business,” Victor Vekselberg, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (SkolTech); Chairman of the Board of Directors, Renova Group.
“We are investing a lot, for example, in Yamal, in the production of liquefied natural gas. There are huge deposits there. <...> Russia has an enormous potential. For TotalEnergies Russia is very important,” Victor Vekselberg, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (SkolTech); Chairman of the Board of Directors, Renova Group.
“There are two new areas – environmental protection and transit. Things we have to work on,” Oleg Belozerov, Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Executive Board, Russian Railways.
“It is a team effort based on digitalization, efficient energy industry to improve effectiveness and reduce the carbon footprint,” Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Schneider Electric.
SOLUTIONS
Environmental projects should form the basis for international cooperation
“It is important to take further steps in international cooperation, so that the solutions and efforts we make are recognized internationally and at the European level, together with our colleagues in Asia, so that the outcomes of climate projects in different countries are mutually recognizable,” Maksim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“Together we are stronger; we can get better results for our citizens,” Oleg Belozerov, Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Executive Board, Russian Railways.
“We are the cleanest mode of transport. <...> We propose mechanisms for the future: emissions from railways – if we take emissions as a whole in the Russian Federation – are less than 2%,” Oleg Belozerov, Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Executive Board, Russian Railways.
“Electric cars are a whole new world, a huge transformation. There may also be cars that run on hydrogen. At least TotalEnergies is the concessionaire of these electric poles. We have also become a shareholder in a taxi company that plans to launch 650 taxis that will run on hydrogen. There is an example in Moscow, too: electric battery technology in the Moscow metro,” Victor Vekselberg, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (SkolTech); Chairman of the Board of Directors, Renova Group.
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