St. Petersburg International Economic Forum kicks off in Russia

The program of the forum includes more than 140 events in various formats, including a plenary session, panel discussions, round tables, business breakfasts, debates, and pitch sessions. The main theme of the 26th edition is Sovereign Development - the Basis for a Just World. Let us Unite our Efforts for the Sake of Future Generations.

“SPIEF is a single space of trust with equal opportunities for all subjects of economic activity in the world. Amid sanctions and the crisis of globalization, new horizons are opening up for Russia. The conclusions drawn from the forum's discussions push business and the authorities to make the necessary decisions for meeting sustainable development goals,” Anton Kobyakov, Executive Secretary of the Forum's Organizing Committee, said.

The business program has been divided into five thematic blocks. Each of them covers the current global processes, which lead to the formation of a fundamentally new multipolar economic model and open up space for an equal and constructive dialogue with the parties interested in sustainable development and cooperation. One of the sessions of the forum will be devoted to the strategy of cooperation between Belarus and Russia within the Union State. It is scheduled for 15 June. Experts will discuss the countries' progress in import substitution efforts, interaction between business communities and enterprises.

The United Arab Emirates will be this year's guest of the forum. SPIEF will be over on 17 June.

The forum has been held annually since 1997. Since 2005 it has been held under the patronage and with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation. More than 14,000 people from 130 countries participated in the SPIEF 2022 events. Among them were heads of state and government, heads of the largest companies, as well as the world's leading experts from academia and civil society. Eighty-one countries sent their official representatives.

Earlier, Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi said that Belarus' delegation to SPIEF 2023 would be headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov.

Belarus' participation in the forum enables domestic businesses to set up effective cooperation chains, expand contacts with Russian regions, and provide new opportunities for cooperation both within the Union State and the EAEU, , member of the Standing Commission on Economic Policy of the House of Representatives Anatoly Nasenya said.

“Economic cooperation between Belarus and Russia within the Union State is an effective tool against sanctions pressure from Western countries. In 2023, the integration of the two countries is aimed at developing common markets in industry, construction, agriculture and transport, at removing barriers to mutual trade. Both Belarus and Russia, being sovereign states, have achieved a high degree of integration in almost all areas of state and public life,” he said.

According to the MP, the Union State has shown its consistency and ability to overcome difficult times. The two countries have built a fairly effective model of cooperation, developed a strong legal framework.

“Since the establishment of the Union State the trade between Belarus and Russia has increased four times to exceed $50 billion in 2022. In Q1 2023 the trade went up more than 22%,” Anatoly Nasenya said.