Programme 2019

February 14
08:30–10:00
The City as a Focal Point for National Projects By personal invitation only Collaboration – specifically partnerships between regional and municipal governments, business and public activists – is a key trend in urban development. This business breakfast will bring together professionals from all of these sectors, as well...
Collaboration – specifically partnerships between regional and municipal governments, business and public activists – is a key trend in urban development. This business breakfast will bring together professionals from all of these sectors, as well as urban development experts, around one table. Speakers representing each sector will highlight areas where the interests and expertise of all groups involved in urban development intersect. They will also answer a number of key questions: what are the most pressing issues when it comes to implementing national projects? How can PPP mechanisms be applied effectively in order to achieve national objectives? In what way can they have a practical effect on citizens, raise their quality of life, and improve the situation in cities and regions? What is the city of the future? How can international practice be applied to make cities more comfortable to live in? How can national projects help bring living standards in Russian cities closer to world-class levels, and consequently, make them as attractive as possible to residents? Where should the funds needed to achieve these aims come from? How can investment help improve the quality and effectiveness of national projects?

08:30–09:45
Public Financial Literacy as the Basis for Financial Stability The Ministry of Finance has carried out a study of financial literacy in Russia’s regions, and compiled a regional ranking on the basis of this data. From 2019, this ranking, which evaluates the public’s financial literacy knowledge, skills, and a...
The Ministry of Finance has carried out a study of financial literacy in Russia’s regions, and compiled a regional ranking on the basis of this data. From 2019, this ranking, which evaluates the public’s financial literacy knowledge, skills, and attitudes, will be updated yearly. The results of the study will be revealed at the Forum in Sochi. During this session, Russian and international experts in financial literacy training will answer questions about the most effective ways to spread the word about financial literacy, and discuss key issues and problems related to protecting the rights of consumers of financial services.

Award Ceremony for the Winners of Russia’s First Regional Financial Literacy Index, with First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation – Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation Anton Siluanov











08:30–09:45
Developing the Power Grid in the Russian Regions in an Era of Global Technological Change Digital transformation of power systems will make it possible to accelerate socioeconomic growth in the regions, increase energy security by creating new possibilities for infrastructure, and significantly improve people’s quality of life thanks t...
Digital transformation of power systems will make it possible to accelerate socioeconomic growth in the regions, increase energy security by creating new possibilities for infrastructure, and significantly improve people’s quality of life thanks to new standards of service. How will digitalization affect regional economies? How can we use digitalization to improve life for people living in the regions and provide the right environment for the development of small, medium-sized, and large businesses? What tools and mechanisms for long-term tariff regulation should be considered in order to tackle the challenges of digital transformation in Russia’s regions?






09:45–11:45
National Projects and the Regions: Key Questions at the Beginning of the Road Work on the national projects is entering a practical phase. Project (programme) passports have been developed, and key targets have been identified, along with those responsible for meeting them at the federal level. Key performance indicators ha...
Work on the national projects is entering a practical phase. Project (programme) passports have been developed, and key targets have been identified, along with those responsible for meeting them at the federal level. Key performance indicators have been established for the leaders of Russia’s regions, and agreements will soon be signed between the centre and the regions on implementing the national projects. In order to continue this work, the Government of the Russian Federation and the country’s regions will need to answer some fundamental questions. How should work on the projects be organized in the regions? Do the regions have the powers they need to achieve the goals that have been set? What management tools can be employed? What is the financial status of the regions involved in implementing national projects? Do Russia’s regions have sufficient revenue to achieve the goals that have been set? How will this achievement be monitored?







10:15–11:30
The Fuel and Energy Sector: Creating the Conditions for Investment to Guarantee the Continuing Competitiveness of the Russian Economy The fuel and energy sector is currently the largest investor in the Russian economy, and also maintains a leading position on the global stage. It creates value throughout the production chain, from geological surveying to resource consumption (fu...
The fuel and energy sector is currently the largest investor in the Russian economy, and also maintains a leading position on the global stage. It creates value throughout the production chain, from geological surveying to resource consumption (fuel for vehicles, electricity for homes). Improving efficiency at all stages of production will guarantee Russia’s economic development and increase competitiveness. How can we stimulate investment to make this ambitious aim a reality? How can we reconcile traditional sectors of the economy with breakthrough technologies and the economy of the future? Given external pressure and artificial restrictions, how can we create a sufficient stimulus to attract investment and keep developing the sector?










10:15–11:30
Industrial Clusters: How to Make the Regions More Attractive to Investors The country’s key development aims include becoming one of the world’s five largest economies, accelerating the rate of technological development in the Russian Federation, and creating a highly productive, export-oriented sector within the manufa...
The country’s key development aims include becoming one of the world’s five largest economies, accelerating the rate of technological development in the Russian Federation, and creating a highly productive, export-oriented sector within the manufacturing industry. It is not possible for industry to develop rapidly or for enterprises to increase labour productivity without an influx of investment from major companies that have proven industrial competence and forward-looking development plans. Vital to tackling this challenge will be new industrial models which increase the quality of the offering for potential investors, along with a targeted approach to implementing investment projects, taking into account technological priorities and based on the skills that the region needs and has developed. Russia is currently home to more than 40 industrial clusters across the majority of sectors within the manufacturing industry. Niches for investment in high-tech production projects are appearing as a result of cooperation between clusters. This approach helps to improve the quality of the regions’ investment offering and ensures demand for the clusters’ output. How might we exploit the potential of existing industrial clusters for developing regional industry and establishing innovative production? How are the regions creating new niches for investment? How should we use the potential of interregional industrial cooperation to attract investors to the regions?


















14:00–15:30
The Economics of Urban Comfort In partnership with the State Development Corporation "VEB.RF" Three quarters of Russia’s population live in cities. Not only do cities create sources of economic growth, they also develop new forms of social interaction and shape cultural trends. By attracting the most talented people, cities have the potent...
Three quarters of Russia’s population live in cities. Not only do cities create sources of economic growth, they also develop new forms of social interaction and shape cultural trends. By attracting the most talented people, cities have the potential to become a driving force in the achievement of Russia’s 2024 development goals. Business has a key role to play through investment in a new type of urban economy and environment. What needs to be done to make this happen? How can effective cooperation between urban communities, the authorities, and investors be forged? What factors create a pleasant urban environment and an attractive model of the future for city dwellers? What role can the development institute ecosystem play here? All of these issues will be discussed during the VEB session at the Russian Investment Forum 2019.














14:00–15:45
National Infrastructure Priorities for 2024: Defining Them Quickly, Implementing Them Effectively ROSINFRA Infrastructure Congress Event Integrated development of public infrastructure, which must be linked not only to the current needs of businesses, citizens, and the state as a whole, but also to their future requirements, and coordinated efforts on the part of authorities at all...
Integrated development of public infrastructure, which must be linked not only to the current needs of businesses, citizens, and the state as a whole, but also to their future requirements, and coordinated efforts on the part of authorities at all levels to bring the most important projects to fruition: these are the main tasks facing Russia’s leadership over the next six years, as set out in the President’s May Decree. In order to ensure that infrastructure limitations serve to stimulate national economic growth, the government has already prepared a comprehensive development plan for major infrastructure, while financing organizations have proposed a range of credit products which could increase investment. Will the national projects prove effective in helping to tackle infrastructure challenges in the regions? How quickly and efficiently will the project selection and preparation phase be completed, ready for implementation to move forward? Will existing support tools and the proposed standard solutions be helpful here? What are the key conditions for state funding and allocating money from the Development Fund? Will cooperation between the primary development institutions create synergy in infrastructure development?

ROSINFRA National Infrastructure Award Ceremony















14:30–15:45
Developing the Market for Gas as a Motor Fuel: New Opportunities for Regions and Investors Investment in new markets and technologies is a vital driver of innovative and environmentally-friendly economic development, including in the vehicles and fuel sector. The high octane rating and eco-friendly properties of natural gas make it poss...
Investment in new markets and technologies is a vital driver of innovative and environmentally-friendly economic development, including in the vehicles and fuel sector. The high octane rating and eco-friendly properties of natural gas make it possible to build efficient cars which have low aggregate emissions and will conform to the highest global standards now and for decades to come. Developing the market for gas as a motor fuel will require major investment and create new opportunities. What investment will be attracted to expand the number of gas filling stations and LNG fuelling stations by 2025? Who might be willing to invest in this? How effective is investment in acquiring natural gas-fuelled transport for carriers and citizens? What sort of conditions are being created for investors at the federal and regional levels? What will be the long-term outcomes of developing the market for gas as a motor fuel and related technologies?







14:30–15:45
Transport in Russia: Supporting the Development of Major Infrastructure as a Cornerstone of Economic Growth What does Russia’s major transport infrastructure look like today? What condition is it in, and what does it need? In the current economic context, it is vital for Russia to radically accelerate the development of transport infrastructure, and to ...
What does Russia’s major transport infrastructure look like today? What condition is it in, and what does it need? In the current economic context, it is vital for Russia to radically accelerate the development of transport infrastructure, and to make communication between centres of economic growth easier. Public funding is limited, so private capital will need to be brought in. How should public money be sent? Are sufficient resources available? How attractive are regional projects to investors? What characteristics and individual features make investment projects attractive to the market and potentially successful?












16:15–17:30
Big Data as a New Form of Public Administration A year ago, at the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi, the decision was taken to create a national data management system with the twin aims of avoiding duplication of information across the various existing registers and databases maintained by pu...
A year ago, at the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi, the decision was taken to create a national data management system with the twin aims of avoiding duplication of information across the various existing registers and databases maintained by public authorities, and of facilitating access to primary information. As work on the project has demonstrated, a system based around innovative approaches to working with data has far more potential, and changes the philosophy behind public administration as a whole. What international experience of data-driven development can Russia draw on today? What should the concept behind the development of a national data management system look like? Are the regions ready to change the way they work with data? What models are there for cooperation between businesses and public authorities on a national data management system?









16:15–17:30
Regional Bonds as a Tool for Implementing Infrastructure Projects and Improving Quality of Life Regional bonds (sub-federal and municipal securities) are an effective mechanism for establishing budgets and financing infrastructure and concessional projects. They promote rapid development and improve people’s quality of life. Employing this f...
Regional bonds (sub-federal and municipal securities) are an effective mechanism for establishing budgets and financing infrastructure and concessional projects. They promote rapid development and improve people’s quality of life. Employing this financial instrument allows regions not only to get the investment they need, but also to attract savings from the local population, giving citizens the chance to play a direct role in their own region’s development. This gives citizens greater ownership of projects that aim to improve quality of life for them and their children. The goals set by the country’s leaders to stimulate investment in infrastructure, education, healthcare, ecology, new technologies, and science provide a powerful stimulus for the development of this financial instrument, as do the performance indicators in place for the activities carried out by the authorities in Russia’s regions. What measures must be taken to increase the attractiveness of this financial instrument? How can we reduce the cost of borrowing for federal and municipal entities? How should we change legislative requirements to make this instrument more effective? How might the procedure for issuing sub-federal and municipal bonds be simplified? Which regions are successfully using this instrument and why do they consider it promising?








16:15–17:30
The Competitiveness of the National Jurisdiction: New Directions for Development A competitive national legal system means new opportunities for national businesses and foreign investors. As things stand, Russia’s jurisdiction is moving in the direction of emphasizing the protection of businesses’ rights and encouraging a stab...
A competitive national legal system means new opportunities for national businesses and foreign investors. As things stand, Russia’s jurisdiction is moving in the direction of emphasizing the protection of businesses’ rights and encouraging a stable business environment. The transparency of the country’s judicial system remains an issue, but is no longer as big a problem as it was even a couple of years ago. This means that the national jurisdiction is headed in the right direction, even if it is running up against some practical problems on the way. Modernizing and reforming legal procedure in the Russian Federation is opening up new possibilities for unifying procedural time limits and achieving independence and effectiveness in the judicial system, which may have a positive impact on protecting investors’ rights. What legal measures should be undertaken to stimulate increased investment in Russia’s regions? To what extent does the competitiveness of the national jurisdiction depend on pressure from sanctions, and what measures are necessary to provide businesses with legal protection?










February 15
10:00–11:15
Economy vs. Climate: Lessons in Adaptation Climate change will have a negative impact on almost all sectors of the economy, as well as infrastructure and business facilities. This will create considerable risks for many investment projects – and for the development prospects of key sectors...
Climate change will have a negative impact on almost all sectors of the economy, as well as infrastructure and business facilities. This will create considerable risks for many investment projects – and for the development prospects of key sectors of the economy. Over the period 1990–2015, the number of dangerous natural phenomena in Russia almost doubled; the number of large-scale natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and forest fires also increased. Energy infrastructure and settlements located in perennial permafrost zones face potential danger. Given current trends in regional climate change, the damage caused could amount to 1–2% of the country’s GDP on average. Which factors must be taken into account in evaluating the damage in particular sectors? What measures is the Government of the Russian Federation considering to reduce economic losses related to the negative consequences of climate change and to reinforce infrastructure? How are businesses reacting to the threats they are facing?







10:00–11:15
Chemistry for Life The chemical industry is a core branch of Russian manufacturing and makes a significant contribution to the national economy in terms of jobs, products supplied, and exports. The output of the chemical industry is used in nearly every area of the ...
The chemical industry is a core branch of Russian manufacturing and makes a significant contribution to the national economy in terms of jobs, products supplied, and exports. The output of the chemical industry is used in nearly every area of the Russian economy and plays an important role in shaping innovation at every stage of its development. The growth of high-value-added production in the petrochemical and chemical sectors is providing a powerful boost to the development of related branches of Russian industry, such as light manufacturing, medicines and pharmaceuticals, aviation, shipbuilding and engineering, perfume and cosmetics, and many more. The main challenge for the chemical industry over the next six years is to increase the competitiveness of Russian output on both domestic and external markets. What strategy will achieve strong performance in the development of the Russian chemical industry? What support measures does the petrochemicals sector require? What raw material resource base can the Russian petrochemicals industry draw on and to what extent do domestic hydrocarbons undergo further processing? What are the current trends in the digitalization of the Russian chemical industry? Chemicals and the environment – myth or reality?








12:00–13:15
Counterfeits vs Everyone: The Damage to Legal Business and the National Economy The illicit trade in manufactured goods is a central problem facing the Russian economy. Its damaging consequences affect everyone: the state, business, and ordinary consumers, hence the need for an integrated approach and a package of measures ai...
The illicit trade in manufactured goods is a central problem facing the Russian economy. Its damaging consequences affect everyone: the state, business, and ordinary consumers, hence the need for an integrated approach and a package of measures aimed at reducing the volume of goods that are illegally traded. A special coordinating body created to tackle offences of this kind, the State Commission for Countering Illicit Trade in Manufactured Products, has been in existence since 2015, developing and adopting specific measures in conjunction with the business community. Non-state institutions such as Roskachestvo (Russian Quality System) and industry bodies also play a significant role in preventing illicit trade.
Marking is an effective and increasingly widely-used tool for counteracting illicit trade, and one which offers businesses new types of solutions for creating a digital economy of trust between the state, businesses, and consumers.
How does the black market threaten the economic security of the state? How successful has the work of the State Commission for Countering the Illicit Trafficking of Industrial Products been? What role should non-governmental institutions play in the creation of an orderly market? How does the new unified digital marking and traceability system market protection tool work, and what results have the voluntary experiments returned? What other labelling solutions can business look to?









12:00–13:15
Green Financing: Developing the Responsible Investment Market Green finance is about using financial services and instruments focused on supporting economic activity which helps to improve the environment, mitigate the consequences of climate change, and encourage smarter use of natural resources. The princi...
Green finance is about using financial services and instruments focused on supporting economic activity which helps to improve the environment, mitigate the consequences of climate change, and encourage smarter use of natural resources. The principal goals of a green finance system are, firstly, to create an institutional environment in which the state and private funders come together to finance green sectors, and, secondly, to maintain effective control over investment in projects where the risk of negative impact on the environment is high. Today, forging and developing a green finance system is considered to be an integral part of the national development strategy, particularly when it comes to implementing national projects and introducing the best available technologies within the manufacturing industry. At the same time, the sustainable development goals and domestic financing are an active part of the international agenda, including for the G20. How can we expand the availability of financing for investment in green projects? How can we increase the investment attractiveness of such projects? How can we improve the way the capital market works to distribute resources and serve the real economy?









12:00–13:15
Smart Regulation Tools for the Digital Economy Regulatory controls are a fundamental condition for economic development in any state. High-quality lawmaking can provide an impetus for economic growth, while weak development of the regulatory environment can constitute an insurmountable barrier...
Regulatory controls are a fundamental condition for economic development in any state. High-quality lawmaking can provide an impetus for economic growth, while weak development of the regulatory environment can constitute an insurmountable barrier. The challenge facing us today is to create a modern system of state regulation. Rather than being a way of reacting to changes already underway in society, regulatory policy should instead be built in to these changes and capable of being finetuned as society evolves. Our task is to create an effective system for change management which allows for flexible and timely responses to contemporary challenges within a smart regulatory system. One key area of focus for improving the lawmaking system would be how to harness the potential of information technologies and tailored platform solutions: in other words, introducing the principle of ‘the state as a platform’ into state administration. How can we adapt existing regulatory policy to the principles of smart regulation? What are the possibilities and limits of digitalization in the lawmaking process? What are the principal approaches to regulatory control in the digital economy? Are there any opportunities to automate lawmaking processes and make legislation machine-readable? Are there any successful examples of this around the world? What is Russia currently doing in this area?








12:00–13:15
Is Russia Prepared for New Challenges in Cyberspace? The development of the digital economy and the ubiquitous process of digitalization hold out the possibility of breakthroughs in work involving data – but, at the same time, significantly increase the risks posed by cyberthreats. According to offi...
The development of the digital economy and the ubiquitous process of digitalization hold out the possibility of breakthroughs in work involving data – but, at the same time, significantly increase the risks posed by cyberthreats. According to official data, over the last six years, cybercrime in Russia has increased tenfold. In January–September 2018, law enforcement agencies recorded more than 13,000 such crimes every month, almost twice as many as the previous year. There is clearly increased interest among criminals in valuable corporate and personal data, especially bank accounts, and the financial sector is at particular risk. As a result, cybersecurity is well on its way to becoming a vital priority both for businesses and at the state level. Which cybersecurity strategies are the most successful? What is the best way to optimize resources and organize joint efforts to ensure maximum security? What needs to be done to predict and prevent cyberthreats?