Events

MOSCOW, 20 June (BelTA) -The Belarusian delegation at the 17th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is headed by First Vice Premier of Belarus Vladimir Semashko, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia.

The delegation includes Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to the Russian Federation Igor Petrishenko.

It is expected that the forum will be attended by heads of nearly 200 foreign companies and more than 400 Russian companies. SPIEF-2013 expects to welcome 144 members of foreign official delegations from 66 countries.

The theme of SPIEF 2013 is "Global Economic Prospects: Finding Resolve to Build the New Global Economy”. The program is built around several major themes. The first theme is designated as "Global Growth Agenda" and will focus on the main factors determining the development of the world economy and the measures to restructure the economy and stimulate sustainable growth.

Sessions under the theme “New Catalysts for Change" will be devoted to the possibilities of using advanced technologies and innovative approaches to meeting the challenges of the economy and society.

The forum's agenda will reflect the themes of the G20 as Russia holds the Presidency in this Group in 2013. Therefore, the program will include the topics that will be of priority at the upcoming G20 Summit: investment incentives to accelerate economic growth, public debt management, reform of the international financial system, the sustainable development of the energy markets and promotion of international trade. The forum will also host the youth G20, Business G20 and the Russia-ASEAN business forum.

The St. Petersburg forum is not only the platform for discussion of pressing economic issues and investment presentations. This is the place where important agreements and contracts are signed. For example, the agreement on the establishment of the integrated transport and logistics company between national rail operators of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan is expected to be signed on 20 June. This document provides for the joint development of transport infrastructure in the three countries.

St. Petersburg Economic Forum was first held in 1997. In 2001, it was officially given the status of the main CIS economic forum. The forum is held annually, with the support and participation of the President of Russia.