The 26th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), a unique event in the world of economics and business, kicked off on Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Russia. Each year the event attracts thousands of participants from different countries – politicians, entrepreneurs, and founders of technology start-ups.
A rich programme awaits forum participants: industry discussions, panel sessions, and business meetings devoted to discussing topical issues in various sectors of the economy and business. There are more than 150 events in all.
The Forum will be followed by the Business 20 Regional Advisory Forum (B20), the traditional B20 agenda promotion event of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum organised by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE) in cooperation with the national chair of the B20.
Six bilateral business dialogue events with foreign partners from India, China, EAEU-ASEAN, Latin America and the UAE are planned for the SPIEF. The focus of the SPIEF venue on 14 June will shift to opportunities for the development of Russian and international small and medium-sized businesses.
The VIII Russian Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Forum will open on the first day with a focus on international business cooperation. In addition, SPIEF participants will be able to attend the following discussions: “Promoting Science in the Interests of Business and Government”, “The Role of Women in Shaping Russia’s Future”, “Russia – Brazil” and other events.
A session is also being planned on the sidelines of the SPIEF, during which participants will explore the potential for trade, economic and investment cooperation between Russia and India.
On Thursday, 15 June, sessions on “Integration for Development: Practical Aspects of SCO Business Cooperation”, “BRICS Business Partnership in the New Economic Realities”, and “EAEU – ASEAN” will be held, focusing on Russia’s interaction with other states within large intergovernmental associations and organisations.
One of the central events will be a plenary session on 16 June, at which Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech. On the same day, the discussion Russia – EAEU – BRICS: Non-Financial Reporting as a Lever for Sustained Supply Chains and Trade Relations is scheduled for discussion.
On the final day of the forum, 17 June, there will be a session titled “BRICS: On the Eve of Change,” during which experts will discuss the prospects for BRICS expansion and the necessary initiatives that should become drivers of the five countries’ development and strengthen partnerships between the members of the association.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has been held since 1997, and since 2006 it has been held under the patronage and with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation.
Over the years, the forum has become the world’s leading platform for networking among business circles and for discussing key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets, and the world as a whole. This year marks the 26th edition of this business event. SPIEF 2023 runs until 17 June.
AT News (African Times) published the article in partnership with international media network, TV BRICS. https://tvbrics.com/en/news/saint-petersburg-international-economic-forum-kicks-off/
