PROGRAMME 2017

OF THE RUSSIAN INVESTMENT FORUM
February 27
09:00–10:30
Labour Relations in a Digital Economy In partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation and the Federal Service for Labour and Employment (Rostrud) The Russian President’s address to the Federal Assembly in 2017 set the goal of launching a comprehensive programme to develop a digital economy. Are labour market institutions consistent with this challenge? The practice of teleworking is widespr...
The Russian President’s address to the Federal Assembly in 2017 set the goal of launching a comprehensive programme to develop a digital economy. Are labour market institutions consistent with this challenge? The practice of teleworking is widespread among IT specialists. Experts estimate that there may be 3–5 million such workers in Russia. As the digital economy expands, their numbers will only grow. How relevant to the image of a dynamic and modern industry are such attributes of labour relations as employment histories kept by employers, paper employment contracts sent to employees by post, and boxes containing copies of HR documents that are trawled through by labour inspectorates during inspections? Unless changes to labour market regulation are introduced, the development of a digital economy will be held back by rising administrative costs for employees and employers alike, as well as higher levels of informal employment. How can we overcome the constraints of economic growth and find a compromise between protecting workers’ rights and developing an economy for the digital era? Will there be demand for additional electronic employment services that can be delivered through the ‘Work in Russia’ portal?













09:00–10:30
Increasing the Effectiveness of Healthcare Administration to Guarantee High-Quality Medical Care and Good Health for Russia’s Population In partnership with the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation The challenge of increasing the effectiveness of healthcare administration is a pressing agenda item for both the Russian Ministry of Healthcare and regional healthcare bodies. This includes work on illness prevention, increasing access to medical...
The challenge of increasing the effectiveness of healthcare administration is a pressing agenda item for both the Russian Ministry of Healthcare and regional healthcare bodies. This includes work on illness prevention, increasing access to medical care, and, most importantly, improving the training of medical staff, especially healthcare managers. Much is currently being done in Russia to achieve this aim. As a result of these efforts, the life expectancy of Russian citizens has risen by 1.2 years within the last three. What needs to be done to maintain this trend? How are priority projects in healthcare set to be implemented? How are employers looking out for the health of their workers, and what can be done to protect the health of Russia’s children?








11:15–12:45
Best Socioeconomic Practices: Turnkey Solutions for the Regions In partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Utilities of the Russian Federation, and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) In 2016, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives held the All-Russian Competition of Best Practices and Initiatives for the Socioeconomic Development of the Regions of the Russian Federation for the first time. The main distinguishing feature of the ...
In 2016, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives held the All-Russian Competition of Best Practices and Initiatives for the Socioeconomic Development of the Regions of the Russian Federation for the first time. The main distinguishing feature of the contest was the creation of tools for implementing best practices and initiatives in socioeconomic development through turnkey solutions that were jointly developed with the relevant federal authorities. Contest entries were integrated into the Trusted Solution Store provided by the Region-ID information system. What tools were used to develop the turnkey solutions? Where and in what sectors can these turnkey solutions be applied? To what extent are these solutions universal, and can they be scaled to all regions of the Russian Federation? What advantages do regions that implement turnkey solutions obtain? Are these turnkey solutions of interest to business, development institutes, and financial institutions?









11:15–12:45
Official Registration for the Self-Employed: Prospect or Pipe Dream? The Russian Government has designated a project entitled ‘Small Business and Supporting Individual Entrepreneurial Initiatives’ as a priority for the country’s strategic development. According to experts, a total of between 20 and 30 million Russi...
The Russian Government has designated a project entitled ‘Small Business and Supporting Individual Entrepreneurial Initiatives’ as a priority for the country’s strategic development. According to experts, a total of between 20 and 30 million Russians are unofficially self-employed; that is, they conduct business activity but do not pay taxes and do not register with the authorities. How can these people be brought out of the shadows? What incentives is the state prepared to offer the self-employed to encourage them to legally register their businesses? The self-employed are certainly aware of the state’s desire to shed light on a significant sector of the economy (which is continuing to grow amid a worsening labour market), and along with that, its desire to recoup lost tax and pension contributions. However, first and foremost, the goal of these measures must be to support the self-employed; it is essential to explain the advantages of conducting business legally and openly. Indeed, the state should seek to assist and develop an institution of ‘household businesses’ in Russia. Why do small business owners prefer to remain in the shadows? Are insufficient knowledge and expertise a justification, or an excuse for not legally registering a business?










16:00–17:30
Modernizing Regional Education and Development Potential The quality and accessibility of human capital have become a mission-critical factor for investment and economic activity. Education, at both the primary and secondary levels, is the foundation for quality human capital. Yet governments in some re...
The quality and accessibility of human capital have become a mission-critical factor for investment and economic activity. Education, at both the primary and secondary levels, is the foundation for quality human capital. Yet governments in some regions often treat this area as a costly expense, diverting resources from other important tasks. The education system is not asked to make a meaningful contribution to regional development. Some regions, however, hold a vision of the future where human capital plays a key role. These regions are striving to ensure that their populations are technologically literate, developing specialized education, integrating extracurricular and core education into secondary schools, involving secondary students in social projects, and working out how to retain talent within their regions.












16:00–17:30
The Modern City: Shaping a Comfortable Environment by Managing the Economy In partnership with the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Utilities of the Russian Federation Urban infrastructure must be created and managed to ensure a high level of comfort for residents in all regions. Current efforts to establish a comfortable urban environment are defined by the generalized application of best practices, which are u...
Urban infrastructure must be created and managed to ensure a high level of comfort for residents in all regions. Current efforts to establish a comfortable urban environment are defined by the generalized application of best practices, which are used as a template that is replicated. The priority is to carry out beautification and public amenities projects, which must take account of the views of residents. How can we ensure the integrated development and management of urban infrastructure? How can we interest and involve residents in creating the future of their cities? What financial tools are needed to effectively develop cities? Do we currently have sufficient human resources to achieve the goals that we have set?












February 28
09:30–11:00
The New Urban Economy: Creative Capital and Effective Planning Clearly, for any modern city to enjoy sustainable growth and compete on the global stage, an innovative and creative sector is a prerequisite. A creative economy emerges following a post-industrial shift marking the transition from an economy prod...
Clearly, for any modern city to enjoy sustainable growth and compete on the global stage, an innovative and creative sector is a prerequisite. A creative economy emerges following a post-industrial shift marking the transition from an economy producing goods to one producing information and knowledge.
Today, creative industries are leading the way when it comes to international trade. Statistically, it is a sector that displays impressive growth throughout the world, even at a time of economic crisis. In addition to unlocking a city’s economic potential, creative industries also facilitate growth in human capital. In turn, once the number of creative people with unique talents and skills reaches critical mass, an impetus is created that continues to feed economic and cultural progress. A pilot version of a creative capital index has been developed. This will reveal the features of the creative and innovative sector and the specific aspects of the institutional environment that influence the speed at which post-industrial economies emerge in the most dynamic regions of Russia. What impact does creative capital have on the development of a region’s culture, economy, and urban planning? What role will the innovative and creative sector play in the economy over the coming years? How will the growth of creative industries impact a city’s attractiveness to investors? How can creative companies based in the Russian regions become successful global players?







09:30–11:00
Human Capital as a Factor in Economic Growth In partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation Investment in human capital means, in particular, investment in the creation of a highly professional, mobile, motivated, and effective workforce that is able to have the greatest impact on the pace and quality of economic growth. New approaches t...
Investment in human capital means, in particular, investment in the creation of a highly professional, mobile, motivated, and effective workforce that is able to have the greatest impact on the pace and quality of economic growth. New approaches to the continuing education system are focused on ways of ensuring that employees are able to obtain the new knowledge, skills, and competencies that are needed for a balanced employment market. What role does the state play in developing human capital? How can an independent qualification assessment system be implemented at the regional level? Who benefits from testing qualifications: workers or employers?










09:30–11:00
Social Infrastructure in the Regions: Cost or Investment? In partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation The creation of social infrastructure is becoming an area of interest to entrepreneurs. Today, the practice of transferring the management of social infrastructure facilities to non-governmental organizations is gaining traction. A network of comm...
The creation of social infrastructure is becoming an area of interest to entrepreneurs. Today, the practice of transferring the management of social infrastructure facilities to non-governmental organizations is gaining traction. A network of commercial healthcare facilities, schools, and kindergartens is developing within the country. How are successful businesses created in the social services sector, and is this a profitable area? What PPP tools are available at the regional level for the development of social infrastructure? How can social infrastructure be developed given the increasing demand for quality social services: should we rely on paid services or increase the role of the state?








09:30–11:00
Universities: Hubs of Regional Development In partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation Creating university hubs of innovative, technological, and social development in the regions is the key focus of the ‘Universities as innovative centres’ priority project, which was approved by the Presidium of the Russian Presidential Council for...
Creating university hubs of innovative, technological, and social development in the regions is the key focus of the ‘Universities as innovative centres’ priority project, which was approved by the Presidium of the Russian Presidential Council for Strategic Development and Priority Projects. In preparing to implement these objectives, stakeholders must discuss frameworks for cooperation between the business community, regional authorities, and universities; the involvement of the business community in setting goals and objectives for the development of these hubs; and the use of a professional public accreditation institute to accredit universities.














11:45–13:15
The Film Industry: Promoting the Regions In partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) The decision to introduce film commissions and grant rebates to film producers from around the world is an effective way to promote the regions as competitive locations for the production of films and television series as well as to attract invest...
The decision to introduce film commissions and grant rebates to film producers from around the world is an effective way to promote the regions as competitive locations for the production of films and television series as well as to attract investment and create new jobs. To what extent will mechanisms to stimulate the film industry attract investment to the regions? What can the Russian film industry offer the regions? What other mechanisms are needed to develop the Russian film industry? What should be done to attract foreign filmmakers to Russia?