Investment and Business Forums are platforms for discussing current economic issues and business life. Entrepreneurs, investors, journalists, and managers from all over Russia and other countries gather here. These events help identify trends, attract investments, identify current tendencies, and find new partners for working on promising projects. Below, we will look at the most popular and significant forums for Russian entrepreneurs and investors.
Siberian Entrepreneurship Forum
An annual forum for small and medium-sized businesses in Siberia. It annually discusses the problems of economic development in the region and the country. The Siberian Entrepreneurship Forum involves specialists in business at the federal and regional levels, representatives of local authorities, business coaches, and delegates from other regions of the Russian Federation. The event includes roundtables, consultation platforms, and masterclasses by business trainers.
Objectives of the Forum:
- Improving the business climate in the region.
- Drawing attention to promising investment projects, goods, and services of the forum participants.
- Developing partnership relations between entrepreneurs.
The event is organized by representatives of business (Krasnoyarsk Fair JSC) and media (Business Krasnoyarsk Magazine, Business FM).
Russian Retail Week Forum
The International Forum “Russian Retail Week” is the main industry event in the Russian Federation. It takes place annually in May in Moscow. The program includes conferences, expert sessions, roundtables, and presentations.
Objectives of the Forum:
- Presenting new achievements in the retail sector.
- Facilitating the exchange of experiences among entrepreneurs in the industry.
- Creating conditions for the development of new projects in retail.
The organizers of the event are the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Russian Association of Retail Market Experts. Forum sponsors include FRIIO, the Association of Managers, CentrSoyuz, AMT, and Meat Expert.
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF)
The St. Petersburg Forum has been held annually since 1997 and is one of the most significant events in the business life of Russia and the world. Entrepreneurs, business trainers, representatives of authorities, and investors from Russia and other countries attend the event every year. Project partners include well-known companies such as Rosatom, VKontakte, and VTB. SPIEF Investment & Business Expo opens annually within the forum, providing a space for participants to interact, demonstrate B2B solutions, and engage in dialogue with representatives of various government levels.
Objectives of the Forum:
- Attracting investments in the Russian economy.
- Building a positive image of Russia for foreign investors.
- Establishing communication between participants in the business community.
- Familiarizing major entrepreneurs with current market trends.
The organizer of the forum is the Roscongress Foundation. Project partners are large companies interested in promoting their brand.
Eastern Economic Forum (EEF)
EEF attracts entrepreneurs from Russia and other countries every year. It was first held in 2015 as part of the program to increase the business attractiveness of the Far East. In 2022, 7,000 entrepreneurs, investors, business coaches, representatives of authorities, and journalists participated in the forum. The event was attended by representatives from 68 countries. Around 100 events took place during the forum, involving 750 speakers and moderators. As a result of the event, assets worth more than 3 trillion rubles were invested in business projects.
Objectives of the Forum:
- Creating a positive image of the Far East in the business environment.
- Attracting investments in infrastructure projects.
- Establishing communication between business representatives.
- Discussing current business problems with government representatives.
- Identifying new trends in entrepreneurship and investments.
Exhibitions dedicated to the development of the Far East, water resources, infrastructure facilities, and cultural customs are held as part of the event. The consistent organizer of the EEF is the Roscongress Foundation.
Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum (KEF)
KEF is an international economic forum aimed at attracting investments into economic projects in the Krasnoyarsk Krai. The event takes place annually in March, starting from 2004. KEF discusses current economic development issues of the region, taking into account the geopolitical and economic situation. Approximately 9,000 guests from 23 countries attend the forum each year. In 2019, 70 agreements were signed, totaling 600 billion rubles after the forum.
KEF Goals:
- Enhance the attractiveness of the Krasnoyarsk Krai for investors and entrepreneurs.
- Showcase the economic achievements of the region.
- Improve the image of the Krasnoyarsk Krai among investors.
- Discuss key issues of business cooperation in the region.
As part of the forum, a special roadshow is conducted, providing guests the opportunity to learn about investment and infrastructure projects in Siberia. The government of the Krasnoyarsk Krai organizes KEF, with constant partners being the “Siberian Agreement” association and Siberian Federal University (SFU).
Gaidar Forum
Named after Russian reformist politician Yegor Gaidar, the Gaidar Forum actively involves members of the Russian government in its proceedings. The forum’s goals include attracting experts and scholars to discuss complex economic issues, analyzing entrepreneurship trends, developing strategic proposals for the national economy, and presenting achievements in Russian economic thought.
Organizers of the Gaidar Forum are RANEPA (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration), the Gaidar Institute, and the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia (AIRR). In 2022, the forum had 300 entrepreneurs and economic experts participating, engaging in about 80 expert discussions.
Russia Calling! Forum
An annual forum primarily focused on attracting portfolio investments into the Russian economy. The event has been held since 2009 at the Moscow International Trade Center. The main theme of the December 2023 forum will be the construction of a sovereign economy in the face of globalization refusal. Participants will include delegates from China, India, Turkey, African countries, and the Middle East.
Forum Goals:
- Promotion of new investment projects.
- Discussion of current problems in Russian entrepreneurship in new conditions.
- Creating a positive image of Russia in the international market.
- Attracting foreign capital for financing projects in Russia.
- Reassessing the sustainable development model.
The forum is organized by VTB Bank. Before the transition to an online format, approximately 2,500 entrepreneurs attended the event annually. After the introduction of a comprehensive online regime, the forum was attended by 300,000 viewers from around the world.
Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF)
YIEF has been held annually in Yalta since 2015. The forum involves entrepreneurs and speakers from 89 countries. In 2019, 54 specialized sections dedicated to current directions in the region’s development operated at the forum. Over 400 speakers discussed topics with participants. The Yalta Conference, addressing ways to adapt the economy under sanctions, was also held within the YIEF.
YIEF Goals:
- Creating a model of business and government interaction.
- Attracting investments.
- Creating conditions for regional development.
- Discussing perspectives on the development of innovative projects.
- Implementing the investment potential of traditional sectors of the economy.
The forum also hosts a youth program for budding entrepreneurs, discussing topics like the use of cryptocurrency tools, drivers of regional economic development, and business planning issues. YIEF is held with the support of the Russian government.
Russian Investment Forum
RIF is an international event dedicated to the discussion and development of projects on a national scale, as well as the presentation of investment opportunities in the regions of the Russian Federation. Representatives from several dozen countries, interested in developing business relations with Russia, attend the event. The Prime Minister of Russia is a regular participant in the forum’s activities. Annually, the forum gathers delegates and heads of regions from 84 subjects of the Russian Federation.
Objectives of RIF:
- Attracting investors.
- Discussing important issues related to investment and the economy among experts.
- Formulating business requests to the government.
- Improving Russia’s investment image.
In 2019, the forum saw the conclusion of over 500 agreements totaling 968 billion rubles. The event is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.
Summing Up:
Investment and business forums have a significant impact on the business climate in Russia. Every year, dozens of major events are dedicated to issues of entrepreneurship, the development of infrastructure projects, and the exploration of trends. Forum participants have the opportunity to engage in discussions about business development challenges in contemporary conditions, learn about promising projects, and discuss issues of government regulation of business with representatives of executive authorities.
Разрабатываем Стратегии для собственников бизнеса в целях оптимизации группы компаний, решения нестандартных задач и продажи активов. Оказываем услуги по сопровождению сделок M&A, управлению непрофильными активами и проектами в целом.
