Programme 2018

February 16

09:00–10:30 Broadcast Creating Ecosystems to Develop E-Commerce: Challenges and Opportunities The introduction of information and communications technologies and changing consumer preferences have led to the rapid growth of online commerce, which is opening up opportunities for Russian companies to enter not only domestic but also foreign ...: The introduction of information and communications technologies and changing consumer preferences have led to the rapid growth of online commerce, which is opening up opportunities for Russian companies to enter not only domestic but also foreign markets. Russia’s e-commerce sector has expanded at a brisk pace in recent years, and continues to grow with confidence. Experts assess the value of the e-commerce market in Russia in 2017 at RUB 1.1 trillion. To accelerate the pace of e-commerce, it would be a good idea to establish an ecosystem based around a technology platform, which would bring together sellers, buyers and service companies, marketing and delivering goods to consumers in every region of the country and overseas. This would give companies easier market access for their products. Companies would simply need to decide what to produce and offer for sale. Manufacturing and supply, marketing, the website, accounting functionality, warehousing, financing and delivery would all be provided through such a platform. What is currently determining the development of domestic and external e-commerce? How can digital economy ecosystems help to radically change the landscape in this sector? What impact might a platform have on the growth of small and medium-sized business?

09:00–10:30 Broadcast Investment in Tourism: Attractive Segments of the Sector and Preparations for the 2018 World Cup The tourism industry is a promising area for investment. One rouble invested in tourism can yield as many as five roubles in return. As part of a targeted federal programme to develop domestic and foreign tourism in the Russian Federation over the...: The tourism industry is a promising area for investment. One rouble invested in tourism can yield as many as five roubles in return. As part of a targeted federal programme to develop domestic and foreign tourism in the Russian Federation over the period 2011–2018, a large number of investment projects are being implemented which are centred around the creation of tourism, recreation, and motor tourism clusters. Individual Russian regions are also progressing with their own investment initiatives. In 2018 Russia will host the FIFA World Cup. Preparations for this important sporting event will involve new challenges and new investment opportunities. What segments of the tourism sector are the most promising today, and what are the factors that determine their investment attractiveness? What are the specific features of industrial, cruise-based, ethnographic, and other kinds of tourism from the point of view of investment? What role can domestic and inbound tourism play in improving a region’s investment appeal? What will the 2018 World Cup contribute to the development of the sector from an investment point of view, and how can effective use be made of the ‘championship legacy’ once the matches are over?

09:00–10:30 Broadcast Regulating the Digital Economy: Problems and Prospects In December the Russian government approved a plan to develop legislation on regulating the digital economy. The plan includes more than 50 packages of legislative measures designed to remove key barriers on the path to nationwide digitization. Th...: In December the Russian government approved a plan to develop legislation on regulating the digital economy. The plan includes more than 50 packages of legislative measures designed to remove key barriers on the path to nationwide digitization. There are also plans for the simultaneous development of concept papers addressing how the Russian legal system as a whole can be transformed to make it more flexible in the context of an ever-changing world, and how to regulate the use of ‘cross-cutting’ technologies on a systematic basis. Are all priority measures for developing the digital economy covered by the plan? What other regulatory issues need to be resolved with respect to the challenges posed by the digital economy? How can regulation be implemented in a changing environment, and how can the process of establishing regulations be made more dynamic? What alternative means and methods of regulation are needed?

09:00–10:30 Broadcast Investment in Russia’s Regions: Has the Work of Management Teams Changed? Managing regional development is a key challenge on today’s agenda, and a positive solution to this issue is vital for the continued development of Russia as a whole. A vital role in any management process is played by people, the quality of their...: Managing regional development is a key challenge on today’s agenda, and a positive solution to this issue is vital for the continued development of Russia as a whole. A vital role in any management process is played by people, the quality of their professional training, and their teamwork skills. Increasing the quality of human resources is a standalone challenge – as well as a key investment in Russia’s regions. A major factor in the development of regional workforces should not only be the performance of regional teams, but also the desire of the majority to become one unified team, and to continue cooperating for mutual development to the benefit of Russia’s regions and the country as a whole. What new professional demands are being made of the leadership of Russia’s regions?
Do effective mechanisms exist for attracting and retaining highly qualified staff in the regions? What educational technologies need to be used to train leaders in order to ensure the development at a regional level? The relationship between management effectiveness and regional investment – is there a dependency?

09:00–10:30 Broadcast Regional Investment Cooperation as Part of the Belt and Road Initiative In order to achieve a sustainable rate of development, Russia’s regions need a constant influx of investment, and the battle for this is a strategic challenge facing any region, irrespective of how much financial aid it receives. The investment bu...: In order to achieve a sustainable rate of development, Russia’s regions need a constant influx of investment, and the battle for this is a strategic challenge facing any region, irrespective of how much financial aid it receives. The investment budget for the Belt and Road Initiative is estimated to be a colossal sum – USD 900 billion. These funds will be used to finance more than 900 separate projects across 65 countries. In order to manage these investment streams, a powerful funding infrastructure has been created, enabling the foundations to be laid for a new wave of investment in the region. Such associations as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Greater Eurasian Partnership have been formed in order to establish connections across the continent which will facilitate trade and the implementation of all kinds of exchange between countries. The support of digital platforms has made it possible to transfer these processes to the regional level within individual countries. Direct regional trade and investment links between states are becoming a significant trend in contemporary international economic cooperation. What factors could facilitate an expansion of investment as part of the Belt and Road Initiative in Russia? What role has been envisaged for the EAEU and Greater Eurasian Partnership with respect to investment activity in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative? What prospects does investment through the Belt and Road Initiative offer Russia’s regions?

09:00–10:30 Broadcast Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Agroindustry: How to Increase Profitability Strengthening small business and creating a favourable environment to promote entrepreneurial activity in rural areas are priorities for the government. Agroindustrial SMEs fulfil an important social function and make a significant contribution to...: Strengthening small business and creating a favourable environment to promote entrepreneurial activity in rural areas are priorities for the government. Agroindustrial SMEs fulfil an important social function and make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of Russia’s regions. At a time when Russia is successfully entering global food markets, SMEs are faced with the challenge of effectively integrating into the global value chain. At the same time, new niches are appearing in local markets, reflecting shifts in Russian consumer preferences, and SMEs are best placed to fill those niches. How can Russian SMEs monetize their market potential in the modern agroindustrial sector? What is their competitive advantage in the global food market?

09:00–10:30 Broadcast Updating Russia’s Linen Industry Revitalizing the Russian linen industry, which has lost its position in the Russian and global markets over the course of the last two decades, is a top priority of state industrial policy on domestic light industry and one of the key focuses of t...: Revitalizing the Russian linen industry, which has lost its position in the Russian and global markets over the course of the last two decades, is a top priority of state industrial policy on domestic light industry and one of the key focuses of the light industry development strategy in the short term. Limiting factors in the development of the linen industry are a shortage of quality raw flax fibre, a lack of modern technology for growing and processing flax, and an absence of funds. In order to revitalize the linen industry, approaches to its growth and redevelopment need to be substantially transformed. Creating interregional clusters and organizing cooperation between agricultural producers of flax and the textile industry is one of the first steps to be taken in this direction. How did the present situation faced by the linen industry come about? What proposals are there for concentrating existing support mechanisms provided by the Russian Ministries of Agriculture and Industry, and what new approaches to modernization of the linen industry are available?

09:00–10:30 Broadcast Does Small Business Have a Place in Exports? A View from Entrepreneurs Only 0.5% of Russian small and medium-sized businesses presently export their products, whereas this figure exceeds 30% in Germany and is as high as 70% in Japan. In order to achieve economic growth, it is essential to increase exports as one of t...: Only 0.5% of Russian small and medium-sized businesses presently export their products, whereas this figure exceeds 30% in Germany and is as high as 70% in Japan. In order to achieve economic growth, it is essential to increase exports as one of the major indicators of competitiveness. How do small businesses rate their export potential? What are the difficulties faced by Russian small businesses, and how can these be overcome? How can the share of small and medium-sized business in the export of goods and services be increased?

11:00–12:30 Broadcast Women’s Leadership: The Energy of the Future One of the most pressing priorities for Russia is to capitalize on new drivers of growth. Female entrepreneurship is undoubtedly one of these. Businesses owned by women form a significant and rapidly growing proportion of small and medium-sized en...: One of the most pressing priorities for Russia is to capitalize on new drivers of growth. Female entrepreneurship is undoubtedly one of these. Businesses owned by women form a significant and rapidly growing proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises. As well as in sales and services, women are also now engaged in the agroindustrial, construction, high-tech, and banking sectors. In some countries, companies with female directors contribute 50–60% of gross domestic product. Female business is now a substantial component of entrepreneurship as a whole. What obstacles do women have to overcome on their way to success? What is the real position of women in top management? The keys to women’s success in business. Opportunities that the modern market offers Russian women. What models can be followed and what specific steps taken to achieve success?

11:00–12:30 Broadcast Public Finance. Developing Mechanisms for Crowdfunding, Crowdinvesting, and Crowdlending An investment crowdfunding mechanism is being actively applied in today’s economy with the objective of structuring investments more efficiently. Crowdfunding will eventually make it possible to attract investors to innovative venture projects dir...: An investment crowdfunding mechanism is being actively applied in today’s economy with the objective of structuring investments more efficiently. Crowdfunding will eventually make it possible to attract investors to innovative venture projects directly and within short periods of time, reducing transactional costs. Countries like the UK, the USA, and Israel are actively applying crowdfunding and crowdlending mechanisms as tools for attracting investment. Russia presently lacks specialized crowdfunding regulation, which is making it more difficult to develop the mechanism. One important issue in the development of crowdfunding today is that of ICOs. Currently, most regulators have defined an approach to regulating this phenomenon which takes into account possible risks. What might the consequences of a crowdfunding mechanism in Russia be? Is it possible to use international experience as a basis to take crowdfunding in Russia to a new level? What are the prospects for crowdfunding as a mechanism for financing innovative projects? Could ICOs present an alternative to venture investments? How can general financial market infrastructure be adapted to fund innovative projects?

11:00–12:30 Broadcast Business Events: Is There a New Tool That Could Boost the Investment Attractiveness of Russia’s Regions? Global experience indicates that holding major international events creates a significant economic impact in diverse sectors of the economy. Many national governments worldwide, together with regional and local authorities, are working purposefull...: Global experience indicates that holding major international events creates a significant economic impact in diverse sectors of the economy. Many national governments worldwide, together with regional and local authorities, are working purposefully to facilitate the construction of associated infrastructure in their cities, improve transport systems, and build hotels and convention venues. Russia has also seen positive developments in this area in recent years. In particular, an organization has been created specifically to promote the convention infrastructure found in the regions on the international stage and attract international convention events. Organizing new events in Russia’s regions will first and foremost help to create new jobs. It will also contribute to attracting investment and developing a positive image of Russia’s regions at an international level. In this way, business events can constitute an important factor in attracting investment for regional development. What steps must government and business take in order to attract major international events to Russia’s regions? How important is the role of Russia’s regions in attracting international events? What is the role of the National Convention Bureau in promoting regions and attracting business events of various formats? To what extent can business events help to realize regional export potential? What steps must be taken to promote the investment and economic potential of Russia’s regions domestically and abroad?

11:00–12:30 Broadcast Digitize or Die. Best Practices for Digitizing Major Businesses In partnership with Internet Initiatives Development Fund (IIDF) The spread of technology and the digitization of ever more aspects of our lives are facilitating national socioeconomic development. It is not only the efficiency of production that is on the increase, but also the transparency of operations and r...: The spread of technology and the digitization of ever more aspects of our lives are facilitating national socioeconomic development. It is not only the efficiency of production that is on the increase, but also the transparency of operations and relationships between actors. On 28 July 2017, the ‘Digital Economy of the Russian Federation’ programme was approved. One of the key prerequisites for its implementation is the creation of necessary and sufficient infrastructure, aimed at removing existing obstacles and restrictions holding back the establishment and growth of high-tech businesses, and preventing new barriers from emerging. How can the necessary infrastructure for a digital economy be created within Russia? What is necessary for this?

11:00–12:30 Broadcast Project Management as a Tool for Attracting Investment: Best Regional Practices Project management in the public sector has already ceased to be considered a new management paradigm; it can now be said with some certainty that project management is the next important stage in establishing a management culture within governmen...: Project management in the public sector has already ceased to be considered a new management paradigm; it can now be said with some certainty that project management is the next important stage in establishing a management culture within government bodies. Analyses of practices for implementing project management within the public and corporate sectors reveal how far the development of decision-making systems has progressed, how well established tools for the non-material motivation of project participants have become, and how tools are used to rank projects on the basis of their social significance, level of complexity, and so on. All of this demonstrates that project management is fully compatible with the established system and organizational structure of the public sector and achieves positive results, including from the point of view of attracting investors to implement new projects. Could project management in the public sector serve as an engine for solving priority state issues? What regional and corporate experience could be used in Russia to help establish an effective project management system in the public sector?

11:00–12:30 Broadcast Creating Ecosystems for Young Enterprise Businesses run by young people represent a significant segment of small enterprise. One of the priority areas for government support of small and medium-sized enterprises covers measures to encourage young people to engage in entrepreneurial activ...: Businesses run by young people represent a significant segment of small enterprise. One of the priority areas for government support of small and medium-sized enterprises covers measures to encourage young people to engage in entrepreneurial activity. It is the present generation of young people and young enterprise that will make up our country’s image in 10 years’ time: helping young people in business to develop today will determine the rate of economic growth and of Russia’s national development tomorrow. What are the particular features of young enterprise? What is needed to develop it? What can be done to help overcome its weaknesses and develop its strengths? Is it possible to apply international experience in supporting and developing young enterprise?

11:00–12:30 Broadcast The Future of the Labour Market Changes under way in various sectors of the economy (the implementation of innovative projects, the creation of high-productivity jobs, etc.) demand a highly professional workforce, whose labour will have the greatest possible effect on the pace a...: Changes under way in various sectors of the economy (the implementation of innovative projects, the creation of high-productivity jobs, etc.) demand a highly professional workforce, whose labour will have the greatest possible effect on the pace and quality of economic growth, as well as new approaches to developing essential qualifications and labour mobility for implementing promising projects. What professions will be the most in demand in the near future? Once qualifications have been confirmed, what comes next? Will it be possible to get another job in another area?

11:00–12:30 Broadcast A New EAEU Customs Code as an Opportunity for Improving the Investment Climate The Eurasian Economic Union Customs Code Agreement envisages a gradual liberalization of customs regulations and the creation of more comfortable conditions for doing business. The customs system will in effect be transitioning to a radically new ...: The Eurasian Economic Union Customs Code Agreement envisages a gradual liberalization of customs regulations and the creation of more comfortable conditions for doing business. The customs system will in effect be transitioning to a radically new level of functionality, with customs operations improved by the implementation of data management systems which do not require the involvement of customs officials, the translation of customs procedures into electronic versions, the priority replacement of paper with modern technology, increased legal significance for preliminary information, expanded opportunities for releasing goods prior to the submission of a declaration, increased status for authorized economic operators, and an expansion of simplifications made available to them here and in a number of other areas. This liberalization and the increased level of unification of customs regulations enshrined in the new EAEU Customs Code is intended to ensure more comfortable conditions for bona fide economic operators to conduct business activities. In what major respects does the new EAEU Code differ from the former Eurasian Customs Union Code? What regulations in the new EAEU Customs Code have made the greatest contribution to simplifying business operations? How does the new EAEU Customs Code expand opportunities for authorized economic operators? In what ways has the EAEU Customs Code ensured deeper unification of customs regulations within the EAEU?

11:00–12:30 Managing Change: Initial Outcomes of Implementing Goal-Oriented Models in Russia’s Regions In 2017, Russia’s regions began implementing goal-oriented models for improving the investment climate. Successful economic development in the regions is dependent in part on the creation of a favourable investment climate by regional authorities....: In 2017, Russia’s regions began implementing goal-oriented models for improving the investment climate. Successful economic development in the regions is dependent in part on the creation of a favourable investment climate by regional authorities. A goal-oriented model is a kind of workflow algorithm which aims to solve the current problems faced by investors in regions, including connecting facilities to communications systems, access to land, and other issues. The initial outcomes of implementing goal-oriented models on the ground are already being felt, making it possible to evaluate the current state of the investment climate in Russia’s regions. Regions have also adopted parameters at different speeds, and not all goal-oriented models have proven straightforward to implement. How are entrepreneurs evaluating the outcomes of implementing goal-oriented models? What are the prospects for implementing goal-oriented models at the next stages?

13:00–14:30 Broadcast Improving Labour Productivity: A National Priority Ever since Toyota introduced ‘lean manufacturing’ technology, it has proven to be effective in improving labour productivity on the production lines of major enterprises around the world. Today, lean is not just a technology, it is an ideology foc...: Ever since Toyota introduced ‘lean manufacturing’ technology, it has proven to be effective in improving labour productivity on the production lines of major enterprises around the world. Today, lean is not just a technology, it is an ideology focused on efficiently organizing processes within an enterprise, with applications outside the industrial sector. How can we encourage enterprises to genuinely engage with a programme to increase productivity? Can this experience and methodology be applied to public administration? How can we create a high-performing regional administration?

13:00–14:30 Broadcast The Silver Economy: Maturity in Business The over-50s offer significant but currently underappreciated potential for expanding entrepreneurial activity. According to data from Rosstat, over-50s account for over 40% of the Russian population, and this figure is set to rise by 450,000–500,...: The over-50s offer significant but currently underappreciated potential for expanding entrepreneurial activity. According to data from Rosstat, over-50s account for over 40% of the Russian population, and this figure is set to rise by 450,000–500,000 people a year. What should be done to encourage people over 45 to become entrepreneurs? How can real success stories boost growth in entrepreneurial activity? Which forms of interaction between the state, business and development institutions will be most effective in developing entrepreneurship in this section of the population?

13:00–14:30 Broadcast A New Structure for the Economy of Russia’s Regions: Where are the Sources of Efficiency? The model for the sustainable socioeconomic development of Russia’s regions is based on global and national factors in achieving efficiency within these regions, which are competing for access to investment resources and human capital. New directi...: The model for the sustainable socioeconomic development of Russia’s regions is based on global and national factors in achieving efficiency within these regions, which are competing for access to investment resources and human capital. New directions for regional structural policy: regional competitiveness as an objective and long-term resource for progress. What contemporary tools of government regional structural policy are the most relevant and productive? Where can room for modernization be found in the sectoral structure of Russia’s regions? How can a historically high level of regional diversity in terms of the level and dynamism of socioeconomic development be used to the country’s advantage? Can a compromise be found between international integration processes and the preservation of regional identity?

13:00–14:30 Broadcast Russian Companies Can Produce. They Need to Know What and Why Russian companies traditionally treat spending on R&D as a burdensome secondary concern, which is the first thing to be jettisoned in challenging times. If, on the other hand, they are serious about producing goods which will sell on the market, h...: Russian companies traditionally treat spending on R&D as a burdensome secondary concern, which is the first thing to be jettisoned in challenging times. If, on the other hand, they are serious about producing goods which will sell on the market, how can they do this without studying the market and conducting research into consumer behaviour? How is it possible to operate within a country at all without understanding it or showing interest in it? How simple and inexpensive is it to improve relations between producers and consumers?

13:00–14:30 Broadcast Family Values: How is Business Helping to Make Russian Families Richer? Family companies account for between 50% and 80% of jobs in the global economy, and represent more than two thirds of companies worldwide. The growth rate of family businesses in Russia is lagging behind global indicators. According to expert data...: Family companies account for between 50% and 80% of jobs in the global economy, and represent more than two thirds of companies worldwide. The growth rate of family businesses in Russia is lagging behind global indicators. According to expert data, family businesses are more crisis-resistant. Today, Russia is lacking the concepts and definitions of ‘family business’ and ‘family enterprise’. Removing imperfections in the regulatory framework and creating the best possible conditions for family businesses to be run will make it possible to take Russian business to a new level, increase the prosperity of the Russian population, and transition to an innovative form of economic development. What incentives should the government offer citizens in order to significantly increase the proportion of family companies in Russia? What steps must be taken in order to make running a family business viable and economically advantageous?