As part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Roscongress and the national development institution VEB.RF are organizing a panel discussion entitled ‘Integration vs. Protectionism: the Role of Development Institutions in the Creation of a Single Economic Space within Greater Eurasia’.
Over the course of the panel session, a range of issues will be discussed, including the role of development institutions in financing projects to develop inter-border infrastructure; cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the ‘One Belt, One Road’ project; and attracting investment from foreign development institutions to implement national projects in Russia.
The heads of national and international development institutions will be taking part in the discussion, notably the president of the New Development Bank (formerly the BRICS Development Bank) Kundapur Vaman Kamath, the president of Japan Bank for International Cooperation Tadashi Maeda, the Chairman of VEB.RF Igor Shuvalov, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Oreshkin, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Tigran Sargsyan, Director of Global Relations Secretariat of Organisation for Economic Co- Operation and Development (OECD) Andreas Schaal and others.
The Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs and Research Director of the Valdai International Discussion Club Fyodor Lukyanov will be moderating the discussion.
«Countries in Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly relying on one another for socio-economic development. While integration is still ongoing, trade conflicts, protectionisms and sanctions rhetoric are posing obstacles to this. As part of the discussion at SPIEF, we will talk to our partners about how international institutions can help overcome these obstacles and form a common space», said the Chairman of VEB.RF Igor Shuvalov.
The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of nationwide and international conventions; exhibitions; and business, public, youth, sporting, and cultural events. It was established in pursuance of a decision by the President of the Russian Federation.
The Foundation was established in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic potential, promoting its national interests, and strengthening the country’s image. One of the roles of the Foundation is to comprehensively evaluate, analyse, and cover issues on the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative services, provides promotional support for business projects and attracting investment, helps foster social entrepreneurship and charitable initiatives.
Each year, the Foundation’s events draw participants from 208 countries and territories, with more than 15,000 media representatives working on-site at Roscongress’ various venues. The Foundation benefits from analytical and professional expertise provided by 5,000 people working in Russia and abroad.
The Foundation works alongside various UN departments and other international organizations, and is building multi-format cooperation with 180 economic partners, including industrialists’ and entrepreneurs’ unions, financial, trade, and business associations from 81 countries worldwide, and 186 Russian public organizations, federal and legislative agencies, and federal subjects.
The Roscongress Foundation has Telegram channels in Russian t.me/Roscongress, English – t.me/RoscongressDirect, Spanish – t.me/RoscongressEsp and Arabic t.me/RosCongressArabic. Official website and Information and Analytical System of the Roscongress Foundation:roscongress.org.