Technological entrepreneurship is a key driver of economic progress, so one of the government’s top priorities is to facilitate its further development. The Far East already has a solid base to launch innovative projects with a science and technology centre and the RU Tech Park functioning at the Far Eastern Federal University, the opening of engineering divisions at industrial corporations, the opening of the Far East’s first IT park in Yakutia, and the successful operation of a new mechanism to fund high tech companies – the Far East High Technology Fund, which has already funded its first projects. The transformation of promising projects into functioning high-tech businesses remains an important issue. How can we accelerate this process and get large and medium-sized businesses to introduce advanced technological solutions? What solutions are essential for lifting regulatory restrictions when introducing promising technologies?

Moderator:
Victor Vekselberg — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Skolkovo Foundation

Panellists:
Gennady Alekseev — Chief Executive Officer, SDS-Ugol
Nikita Anisimov — Rector, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)
Pavel Grachev — Chief Executive Officer, Polyus
Rustam Milanov — Chief Executive Officer, Visitech
Aysen Nikolaev — Head of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Alexander Povalko — Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Management Board, RVC
Ruslan Sarkisov — Chief Executive Officer, Far East High Technologies Fund
Oksana Tarasenko — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:
Mikhail Grudinin — President, Giprogor Project City Planning Institute of Spatial Modelling and Development
Oleg Fomichev — Director for Strategic Planning and Development, ComplexProm

The host cities for each Olympic Games from 2018 to 2022 are all located in the Asia Pacific. The Games are not just major sporting events, they also have a profound socioeconomic impact. They greatly affect the economies of the countries in which they are held, as well as the economies of the wider region. Whether it is PyeongChang in 2018, Tokyo in 2020, or Beijing in 2022, every event is unique and imbued with a distinct national flavour. They provide the entire world with new opportunities to share experience and work together for the benefit of all. They facilitate cultural integration and the realization of the main principles of the Olympic movement for peace and progress. A new era has arrived in how the Olympic Games are held and the subsequent effect they have on national and regional development. Tokyo 2020 will be the first Summer Olympics of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and will showcase the universality and technological capabilities of the Games in a way never seen before. With its smart venues, the organizing committee for Beijing 2022 has put environmental protection at the heart and centre of the Games, and has expressed the aim to minimize the event’s carbon footprint. How does South Korea assess the effect of hosting the Games in 2018? What innovations can we expect to see in Tokyo in 2020 and Beijing in 2022? How best can organizational costs be reduced in line with the requirements set out in the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020? What should be done to ensure a positive image of the Games, both among spectators and partners? How can the legacy of hosting the games be best leveraged? Where will the Russian national team train for the upcoming games, and what role will the Olympic factor play in the development of the Russian Far East? How are Olympic sports being reformed with the development of commercially viable products?

Moderator:
Konstantin Vybornov — Head of Information Service, Media Relations Officer, Russian Olympic Committee

Panellists:
Marius Vizer — President, International Judo Federation (IJF)
Alexander Karelin — Hero of the Russian Federation, Three-Time Olympic Champion in Greco-Roman Wrestling
Lee Kee-Heung — President, Korean Sport & Olympic Committee
Igor Levitin — Aide to the President of the Russian Federation
Li Lingwei — Vice President, Chinese Olympic Committee
Pere Miró — Deputy General Director, International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Igor Molodtsov — General Director, Sovetsky Sport
Koji Murofushi — Sports Director, Tokyo 2020; Olympic Hammer Throwing Champion
Stanislav Pozdnyakov — President, Russian Olympic Committee
Vladimir Uiba — Head, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of the Russian Federation
Yasuhiro Yamashita — President, Japanese Olympic Committee; Olympic Champion in Judo

Europe is considered a socially responsible global leader in the field of sustainable development. In order to protect the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change, European businesses are switching to a low-carbon, more resource-efficient “circular economy,” while investing in the advancement of digital technologies and production processes. A high level of technological innovation and the willingness to partially localize the production of European companies in Russia are two key aspects for European companies desiring to engage in the ambitious project of economic diversification in the Russian Federation. The interests of leading European countries, particularly concerning the energy sector, as well as the complementarity of economic systems, encourage a pragmatic and structured dialogue with Moscow. At a time when the Far East is opening up to promising growth, how can European companies contribute their innovative potential to further the sustainable development of this geographically remote territory of the Old World?

Moderator:
Michael Akim — Vice President, ABB Ltd

Panellists:
Gianni Bardazzi — Vice President for Russia and Caspian Region, Maire Tecnimont SpA
Dmitriy Kolpashnikov — General Director, Dielectric Cable Systems
Carlo Palasciano Villamagna — General Director, Enel Russia
Pasquale Terracciano — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to the Russian Federation
Vincenzo Trani — President, Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce
Frank Schauff — Chief Executive Officer, Association of European Businesses

Front row participant:
Denis Askinadze — Deputy General Director, Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund

Russia’s pivot east is a crucial objective, and one which requires the Far East to further develop and become integrated in the regional economic system. It is a process which is gaining momentum. Much has already been done, both in terms of creating new mechanisms and development institutions in Russia, and strengthening ties with partners in Asia. The time has now come for an interim discussion and to draw conclusions. Leading experts from China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam will share and discuss their views on where the pivot east has been successful, and where it has been found lacking. They will also provide their perspectives on how it could be further developed. How is Russia’s pivot east viewed in Asia? What has worked, and what has not? What Russian products and services are in demand in Asia? What needs to be done to step up development in the Russian Far East and to integrate the region into the Asian economy?

Moderator:
Timofei Bordachev — Director, Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics; Programme Director, The Valdai Discussion Club

Panellists:
Andrei Bystritsky — Chairman of the Board, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club; Professor, National Research University Higher School of Economics
Fan Weiguo — Director, Asia-Europe Bureau at the Xinhua News Agency
To Anh Dung — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Apurva Sanghi — Acting Country Director for the Russian Federation, The World Bank Group
Yury Trutnev — Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District
Michael Tay — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to the Russian Federation (2002–2008); Founder, Director, Foundation for the Arts and Social Enterprise
Lee Jae-Young — President, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)

Establishing international cooperation between Russia’s and India’s young people is among the key tasks of the current youth policy. At this session, questions will be raised as to how young people in Russia and India can be involved in economic development, as well as how to create a system in which experiences can be exchanged between the two countries. These two aspects may go on to form the basis of prospective economic cooperation. What achievements to date can be cited in the field of international collaboration between young people in Russia and India? What changes in youth policy will be seen in the countries over the next five years? How is the young generation integrating into global policy and creating international initiatives?

Moderator:
Rishabh Sethi — Head of International Projects, BRICS International Forum; Member, Friends for Leadership (FFL);

Panellists:
Purnima Anand — President, BRICS International Forum
Guruprasad Mohapatra — Secretary of the Department for the Development of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of the Republic of India
Kamruzzaman Sayed — President, Rus Education India
Tatyana Seliverstova — Vice-Chairman, Russian Youth Association
Ekaterina Sokolova — Deputy Vice Rector for International Activities, Nevelskov Maritime State University
Oksana Fedoseeva — General Director, Vostock Capital

Front row participants:
Liudmila Ilicheva — Director, Centre for Public-Private Partnership, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)
Andrey Terebenin — Managing Partner, Sistema Asia Capital (India)
Roman Chukov — Chairman of the Board, Russian Center for the Promotion of International Initiatives; Assistant to Youth Policy Director, Roscongress Foundation

Financial inclusion is integral to the development of the Russian Far East and improving the lives of the people who live there. Despite the progress that has been made, there are still a number of unsolved challenges due to the unique characteristics of the region, including its geography, demographics, and economic conditions. What are the main barriers in the way of financial inclusion in the Russian Far East and how can they be overcome? What drivers could help achieve equal levels of financial inclusion in urban and rural areas? This session will also consider the results of the Bank of Russia's pilot project to improve financial inclusion in the Far East.

Moderator:
Mikhail Mamuta — Head of Service for Protection of Consumer Rights and Ensuring the Availability of Financial Services, Member of the Board of Directors, Central Bank of the Russian Federation

Panellists:
Sergey Belov — Head of the Far Eastern Main Branch, Central Bank of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Komlev — Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, National Payment Card System
Sergey Maltsev — Senior Vice-President – Head of Sales Network Department, Sberbank
Mikhail Oseevskiy — President, Chairman of the Management Board, Rostelecom
Maxim Taluk — Head of the Far East Macroregion, Post Bank

Front row participants:
Mikhail Bolonyaev — Senior Vice President, VTB Bank
Roman Kapinos — Deputy Chairman of the Board, SME Bank
Maxim Lubomudrov — Deputy Chairman of the Board, Russian Agricultural Bank
Alexander Pakhomov — Member of the Management Board, Head of the Regional Network Management Unit, Otkritie Bank
Ekaterina Reznikova — Vise President, Member of the Management Board, Head of the Digital Business Unit, MTS Bank

Over the last five years, an exceptional business environment has been created in the Russian Far East. Investors are able to benefit from a wide range of financial and non-financial support measures through state development institutions. However, implementation of the projects is often hindered by a shortage of funding that cannot be covered by injections from the budget and loans from state banks alone. What sources of capital exist to fund investment projects in the Russian Far East? The foreign exchange rate of the Russian Rouble has stabilized, yet the cost of borrowing in Russia is consistently much higher than abroad. How can the cost of borrowing be reduced? Do projects in the Russian Far East and the Arctic require special arrangements? What are the project funding and fund-raising capabilities of state institutions? How eager are foreign banks and financial institutions to invest in the Russian Far East and the Arctic?

Moderator:
Alexey Chekunkov — Chief Executive Officer, Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund

Panellists:
Bambang Brodjonegoro — Minister of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia
Mikhail Zadornov — President – Chairman of the Management Board, Otkritie FC Bank
Sergey Komyshan — Member of the Management Board, Executive Director, SIBUR
Tadashi Maeda — Governor, Japan Bank for International Cooperation
Roman Petrutsa — Director, Industrial Development Fund
Sunita Sindwani — Chief General Manager, Export-Import Bank of India
Igor Snegurov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, VIS Group
Nikolay Tsekhomskiy — First Deputy Chairman – Member of the Management Board, State Development Corporation "VEB.RF"

For over ten years, Russia has had a functioning institute of independent directors. The first wave of appointing independent directors in publicly owned companies took place in 2008. This discussion will focus on the results achieved by large and medium-sized companies under independent directors. There will be a review of best practices and shortcomings in the work of independent directors, while the main problems which shareholders face when selecting appropriate candidates will be examined. Issues on establishing a market of independent directors in Russia will also be considered. How can your business trust an outsider? Is an independent director your friend or a unknown quantity? What characteristics should the ideal independent director have?

Moderator:
Sergey Glukhov — Moderator, Leaders’ Club

Panellists:
Artem Avetisyan — Director, New Business Department, Agency for Strategic Initiatives
Roman Kapinos — Deputy Chairman of the Board, SME Bank
Sergey Kolesnikov — President, TechnoNICOL Corporation
Vasily Savin — Partner, Head of Power and Utilities, KPMG in Russia and the CIS
Denis Spirin — Corporate Governance Director, Prosperity Capital Management

Front row participant:
Maria Korotkova — Member of the Board of Directors, IDGC of Volga

Over the past 20 years, charity in Russia has transformed into a fully-fledged professional segment that is attractive to both young professionals and experienced business managers. The non-profit sector has a profound understanding of the problems people face at the local level as well as popular and effective ways to overcome them, and is thus generating more attention and investments from the state, corporations, and individuals. Today, the sector consists of a multitude of diversified players, with various sources of funding and areas of activity. At the same time, the expert community is aware of the need to respond to global challenges that are preventing sustainable development goals from being achieved. The most important step in this regard is an assessment of the risks and opportunities of attracting new resources, technologies, and ideas for charity. How will the sector change over the next decade in Russia and abroad? What roles will the key stakeholders play in these changes? What steps can the government, business, and charity funds take to achieve the desired scenario for the sector’s development? Why are companies investing more and more in developing infrastructure to support non profit organizations, charity, and volunteering in the regions where they operate as opposed to individual projects? Centennials, design teams, and hybrid organizations: how are the subjects and focuses of charity being transformed? What should be the basis of the agenda for international cooperation in matters concerning philanthropy?

Moderator:
Vadim Kovalev — First Deputy Executive Director, Russian Managers Association

Panellists:
Aleksandra Boldyreva — Executive Director, Donors Forum Association
Natalya Gonchar — Head of Information Support and Media Relations Subdivision, Press Secretary, Sakhalin Energy
Anton Dolgov — Executive Director, Presidential Grants Foundation
Svetlana Erofeeva — Executive Director, Rybakov Foundation
Ilya Torosov — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:
Irina Arkhipova — Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola HBC Russia
Stanislav Kasparov — Director of Business Support in Regions of Operation, SIBUR
Valeriya Kostina — Head, Alexander Monastyrevs Charitable Foundation
Vladimir Yablonsky — Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, Fund to Support Children in Difficult Situations

Nowadays many states face serious economic challenges. Embargos, trade blocs, increase in customs duties are just a few examples of heavy “weapons” application in the economic arena. However, often challenges and obstacles open the doors to new opportunities and breakthrough solutions. How will the global economic shifts affect the China-Russian interaction? What are the prospects of a greater agricultural cooperation between countries? What role does the Russian Far East play in these relations?

Panellist:
He Zhenwei — Secretary General, China Overseas Development Association

Aquaculture in the Far East got several major boosts for intensive development in 2017–18. More than 45,000 hectares of offshore areas were provided to users. Some 13,200 tonnes of aquaculture products were farmed in 2018, a ten-fold increase compared to 2016. The aquavostok.ru service, which is used to determine the boundaries of fish-breeding areas for subsequent auctions, has been commissioned. But the industry still lacks its own technological experience and proven scientific and technological base for aquaculture. In order to develop and support new projects, regulatory measures need to be improved and the offshore area needs to be expanded to include promising waters near the Sakhalin Region and the southern Primorsky Territory. How can we attract qualified investors and ensure the safety of foreign capital in aquaculture projects? How should the aquavostok.ru service be further developed? What new regulatory products does the industry need? Where should personnel undergo training and professional development?

Moderator:
Vasily Grebennikov — Director, Effective Energy; Chief Executive Officer, De-Freeze Zapad

Panellists:
Roman Vityazev — Chairman, Far Eastern Union of Mariculture Enterprises; Chairman, Hyperion
Evgeniy Karpov — Founder, ATRK
Alexander Lopatnikov — General Director, Marine Aquaculture Ho Xiang
Petr Savchuk — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo)

Front row participants:
Alexey Baytalyuk — Deputy Director and Head of the Pacific Branch, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO)
Liu Xusheng — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dalian Shangpintang
Kondo Takehiko — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kondo Shoten

With its vast area, low population density and challenging climate, the Far East needs a healthcare system that can quickly adapt to the digital era. The measures taken to improve the quality of medical care do not fully meet the growing requirements for medical services in the region. The introduction of modern technological solutions and creation of innovative medical centres and clinics are taking healthcare to the next level. With the emergence of virtual reality tools, CRISPR, 3D printers, personal wearable devices, electronic medical records, 5G mobile technologies, and the growth of telemedicine, patients can overcome large distances and receive medical care at a time convenient to them. The creation of innovative medical centres is driving the development of modern technologies. Doctors can optimize their work processes using artificial intelligence systems, and remotely perform complex operations using robotic technologies. Instant access to information makes life easier for patients – there is no need to wait for an appointment with a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment plan. Which promising medical technologies will be the most sought-after in the Far East? Are additional resources needed to introduce new technologies? Are public and private medical organizations that provide e services sufficiently regulated? Which areas of digital healthcare require additional investment? Will new technologies enable patients to manage their own health?

Moderator:
Alexey Bobrovsky — Head of the Economic Programme, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists:
Andrey Kaprin — Director, Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Jong Seok Kim — Head of Outpatient Department , Life Center Chaum
Andrey Nikitin — Governor of Novgorod Region
Katsuya Sakagami — Representative Chairman, Medical Tourism Japan Co.
Veronika Skvortsova — Minister of Health of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:
Danil Baryshnikov — Chairman, Committee for Investment in Social Infrastructure, Agency for Social Investment
Sergey Gneushev — Managing Partner, Academic Medical Centre for Information and Analysis
Kirill Kaem — Senior Vice-President for Innovations, Skolkovo Foundation
Nikolay Sivak — Commercial Director, Philips "Healthcare" Russia and CIS

Achieving the goals of Russia’s national projects will require interaction between the government and private business, as well as private investment to solve social problems in education, healthcare, sports, and social services. Public-private partnerships (PPP) are one of the most effective forms of such collaboration. Russia is developing this mechanism, with most of the projects being implemented in the transport and energy utility sectors, while social infrastructure projects account for no more than 12–15% of the total number of projects. Social projects in a number of sectors in the Far East, such as the construction of modern schools and nursery schools, large sports facilities, and nursing homes, are difficult to implement without state support at the federal level. What social projects might be of interest to private business and what kind of potential does the PPP market have in the Far East? What barriers are holding back the implementation of PPP projects today? How should we encourage the launch of PPP projects and what new mechanisms of state support for PPP projects are available to investors in the Far East today? How can PPPs be used to achieve the goals and objectives of Russia’s national projects? Will the use of PPPs result in a significant increase in the availability and quality of social infrastructure in the Far East?

Moderator:
Maxim Tkachenko — Executive Director, Public-Private Partnership Development Center

Panellists:
Dmitry Breytenbicher — Senior Vice President, Head of Premium Customer Relations, VTB Bank (PJSC)
Andrey Kutepov — Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Alexey Mavrin — Chairman, Patronage Social Geriatric Center
Sunil Sachdeva — Co-founder, Medanta
Grigoriy Smolyak — Director, Department of Human Сapital and Territorial Development, Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East
Vladimir Solodov — Chairman of the Government of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Alexander Khasin — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Centre for Development of Nuclear Medicine of Ulan-Ude
Aleksey Shapovalov — Vice President for Strategy Marketing, Prosveshcheniye Group of Companies

Front row participants:
Agnessa Osipova — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Russian Franchise Association (RFA); President, Baskin Robbins Production International
Nataliya Reznichenko — First Deputy General Director, First Concession Corporation (VIS Group)
Anna Shabarova — Vice President for Human Resources and Social Responsibility, Russian Copper Company
Evgeny Shulyatiev — Founder, National Operator for Children’s Holidays

Today, the Far East is one of the largest centres of solid minerals mining, not only in Russia, but across the world. State support for investors has facilitated capital-intensive megaprojects in the most remote areas of the region, while the low level of exploration makes for unique opportunities for discovery and high-class field mining on the global level. Currently, the government is preparing an effective regulatory and legal framework geared towards attracting new subsoil users, stimulating geological exploration, protecting the environment, and using mineral resources rationally. How can the investment potential of the industry be utilized most effectively? What key industry challenges are investors in the region faced with today? What solutions exist?

Moderator:
Oleg Novachuk — Chairman of the Board of Directors, KAZ Minerals

Panellists:
Pavel Grachev — Chief Executive Officer, Polyus
Dmitry Kobylkin — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Shiv Vikram Khemka — Vice Chairman, SUN Group
Roman Trotsenko — Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, AEON Corporation
Claude Schimper — Senior Vice-President, Russia Operations, Kinross Gold Corporation

Front row participant:
Pavel Maslovskiy — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Petropavlovsk

Central Russia accounts for 27% of the country’s population, 28.5% of investments, 55% of foreign trade, and 73.3% of financial investments. Half of the regions that make up the Central Federal District are among the top 20 in the national investment climate rating. As of the end of 2018, the investment growth rate in the Central Federal District (8.9%) was more than double the national average (4.3%), and even increased to 16.4% in the first quarter of this year. Russia’s pivot east has created new opportunities for investment cooperation between Central Russia and the countries of the Asia-Pacific. Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, and Indian companies have provided a number of examples of successful investment. However, the potential for mutually beneficial economic cooperation is nowhere near exhausted. What can Central Russia offer foreign investors? What measures to support the implementation of investment projects are already working? What else needs to be done?

Moderator:
Artur Niyazmetov — Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District

Panellists:
Sergei Kachaev — Co-Chairman, Council on Investment Authorized in the Central Federal District
Maxim Kondratyev — Chief Executive Officer, Alfa Automative Technologies
Vadim Khromov — Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Region Government
Rajesh Sharma — Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Group
Igor Shchegolev — Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District

As Russia implements its national projects, the government will provide substantial support for the development of urban infrastructure. The problems facing Russian cities, particularly in the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District, can only be solved with funding from the federal budget. The practice of raising private capital for urban improvement projects and modernizing housing and utility infrastructure has gained popularity among businesses in recent years. More than 2,500 concession agreements have been signed in Russia to modernize utility facilities. Businesses have also become more involved in upgrading parks, squares, embankments, and even courtyards. Over the past two years, entrepreneurs have invested nearly RUB 2 billion in such sites as part of a project to improve the urban environment. However, these are still isolated examples. Systemically raising private investment is one of the key goals that will be addressed through Russia’s national projects. Only the joint efforts of government and business will make it possible to take an effective and comprehensive approach to developing the urban environment and infrastructure. How profitable could investment in the urban environment and public utilities be? How can we create mechanisms and conditions to further motivate investors to invest in urban infrastructure? Should investors be guided by people’s preferences when implementing their projects?

Moderator:
Ignat Bushukhin — Editor-in-Chief, RBC Real Estate

Panellists:
Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi — Minister of Climate Change and Environment United Arab Emirates
Daria Bondareva — Managing Partner, UrbanMAF
Andrey Vagner — Chairman of the Board, Acting General Director, T Plus
Hiroaki Ishizuka — Chairman, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)
Mikhail Karisalov — Chairman of the Management Board, Chief Executive Officer, SIBUR
Anatoly Pechatnikov — Deputy President – Chairman of the Management Board, VTB Bank
Zongyi Xin — Regional President for Russia, CIS Countries, Central and Eastern Europe, China Gezhouba Group International Engineering Co.
Alexey Sorokin — Deputy Chair, State Development Corporation "VEB.RF"
Nikolay Kharitonov — Chairman of the Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Konstantin Tsitsin — General Director, Housing and Utilities Reform Fund
Alexey Tsedenov — Head of the Republic of Buryatia
Nikolay Shulginov — Chairman of the Management Board, General Director, RusHydro
Vladimir Yakushev — Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation

Front row participant:
Lev Gorilovskiy — President, Polyplastic Group

Russian-Indian digitalization projects in the transport industry will help create an integrated and trusted space for transporting cargo from India to Russia, and onwards to Europe. Russian technology will be employed to solve this ambitious task and achieve a breakthrough in the development of Eurasian cargo shipments along the fastest and most economical route. This technology will move paperwork fully online, automate administrative procedures, and support multi-modal and driverless transport. In time, this digital transport corridor will intersect with the Trans-Siberian Railway, which will enable Russia to become a central logistics hub between Asia and Europe. It will also facilitate economic integration throughout Greater Eurasia. Investment in Russian-Indian projects will do a great deal to help increase exports of Russian technology. What technological developments in digitalizing transport will help lay the foundation for effective cooperation between Russia and India, and the development of logistics in the two countries? What needs to be done to make Russian-Indian projects attractive to investors?

Moderator:
Igor Poletaev — Anchor, NTV Channel

Panellists:
Shri Deepak Bagla — Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Invest India
Abhay Damle — Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of the Republic of India
Evgeniy Ditrikh — Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation
Anton Zamkov — General Director, RT-Invest Transport Systems; Director, Digital Transport and Logistics Association
Alexandrs Isurins — Chairman of the Executive Board, President, Far Eastern Shipping Company (FESCO)
Alexander Misharin — First Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Russian Railways
Aleksey Nashchekin — Chief Executive Officer, National Telematic Systems
Jaspreet Singh — Managing Director, Rusintelsys Private Limited
Kirill Tsarev — Vice President, Director of Engineering Customers Department, Sberbank

Front row participants:
Vadim Baibak — General Director, Vostochny Port
Sunil Kanoria — Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited
Maxim Kobin — Managing Director for Client Work, Russian Export Center
Igor Rotenberg — Investor

New federal laws have created mechanisms to quickly and conveniently convert foreign legal entities into residents of Special Administrative Districts in Russia. While their legal address is changed, their corporate structure is preserved. At present, twelve international companies are residents of Special Administrative Districts, of which two are registered on Russky Island and ten on Oktyabrsky Island. What are the main aspects of the existing mechanism for re-domiciliation and special features of the legal regime of Special Administrative Districts, including the preferences that are granted to international companies? Can the idea of re-domiciliation become a tool to increase the appeal of the Russian jurisdiction? What has been the experience of the these first residents, and what are the prospects for further development?

Moderator:
Andrey Gorlenko — Executive Administrator, Russian Arbitration Centre at the Russian Institute of Modern Arbitration

Panellists:
Marina Belyakova — Partner, EY
Sarah Jane Grimmer — Secretary General, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre
Mikhail Mamuta — Head of Service for Protection of Consumer Rights and Ensuring the Availability of Financial Services, Member of the Board of Directors, Central Bank of the Russian Federation
Galina Naumenko — Partner, Tax and Legal Services, PwC Russia
Nikita Soshnikov — Head of Branch in Vladivostok, Deloitte, Russia
Ilya Torosov — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

The concept of lean production has been proven to be effective all over the world. It seeks to make more from less, that is, increasing the volume of production from less resources, money, space, and workers. This is the essence of lean production. Russia is implementing lean ideas by creating nationwide projects, such as Lean Government and Lean Healthcare. What’s more, modern trends in industrial development, technology, and society demand change. In Japan – the country that invented kaizen – a plan to reform work patterns is being developed as a new way of increasing productivity, which is aimed at implementing strategies to revitalize the Japanese economy. This experience may well prove to be beneficial to Russia, too. What new ideas and principles can help increase productivity on a global scale? Why is lean production not being used everywhere and at all times? How can we construct a process of continuous improvement and create a system of lean learning? How can we implement new equipment based on the kaizen model? What is a lean start-up and a minimum viable product? How can we reconstruct our way of thinking and become a lean leader?

Moderator:
Maxim Protasov — Head, Russian Quality System (Roskachestvo)

Panellists:
Michael Akim — Vice President, ABB Ltd
Jorge Javier Roman Garate — Business Excellence and Benchmarking Advisor, Dubai Police Force of the United Arab Emirates
Nikolay Solomon — General Director, Federal Competence Centre (FCC)
Isaac Sheps — Chair, Central Committee for Standardizing Management Systems, The Standards Institution of Israel

The current challenges become a driver which inevitable transforms the economic model from linear to circular type. One of the key elements in this process is the re-use of waste in production, which allows reducing the amount of natural resources extracted and the associated processes intensity. Plastic pollution is at the top of the global public agenda nowadays, while the most relevant solution to this issue is a well-designed system for the plastic collection, processing and disposal. R&D investments, regulatory measures, educational projects all around the world are aimed at implementing this model. Harnessing the potential of plastic recycling is in the focus of the petrochemical industry as well. What are the prospects of plastic waste management? What are the differences between processing technologies? Can biopolymers become a universal solution to the problem?

Panellist:
Dmitry Konov — Chairman of the Management Board, SIBUR Holding

The Periodic Table of the Elements is recognized globally and associated with the name of Dmitry Mendeleev all around the world. Its phenomenality allowed it to become the universally accepted language of all natural sciences, thus different scientists, including chemists, physicists, astronomists, geologists, physicians, biologists and geographers, apply the Table in their studies. The influence of Mendeleev`s discovery made 150 years ago is not erasing, but growing now. Tremendous work of the scientists has created a harmonious system, which explains the interconnection between elements, as well as allows predicting the emergence of new chemical elements and materials. The Periodic Table today stands at the center of the economy, while it plays essential role in the material production. The electronic devices, solar panels, smart clothes, environmentally friendly fuels, medicines and medical diagnostics - all that is created by chemists using knowledge of elements and their characteristics.

Panellist:
Alexander Sergeev — President, Russian Academy of Sciences

Today, Eurasia is one of the main powerhouses of global economic growth. Global trends and the factors influencing them are shifting towards Asian countries, especially India and China. Apart from businesses and the economy, this shift also concerns science and innovation, education, culture, and environmental protection. An efficient partnership between key Eurasian players – namely Russia, India, China, as well as European and Central Asian countries – has the potential to improve operations on a global scale. At the same time, Eurasian countries, and the region as a whole, are facing serious calls to develop new approaches to state policy as well as changes to businesses and academic institutions. To what extent do both regional staff training and human capital development provide an effective response to the issues Eurasia is facing? What principles should lay the foundation for this work, and which institutions could be the main drivers of this process?

Moderator:
Shiv Vikram Khemka — Vice Chairman, SUN Group

Panellists:
Olga Arkhangelskaya — Partner, Head of Real Estate, Hospitality, and Construction Services, Head of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Government, and Public Group in the CIS, EY
Bambang Brodjonegoro — Minister of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia
Alexander Sergeev — President, Russian Academy of Sciences
Rajendra Srivastava — Dean, Indian School of Business
Andrey Sharonov — President, Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO

Front row participants:
Vladimir Ivanov — Head, Science Information and Analysis Agency
Dilip Chenoy — Secretary General, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
Petr Shchedrovitskiy — Member of the Management Board, North-West Foundation Center for Strategic Research

Biosecurity risks are evolving and becoming more complex. What’s more, these changes are occurring at an ever-faster rate. While medicine develops with the passage of time, so do infectious agents, which develop resistance to treatment and change other characteristics. It is hard to overestimate the modern world’s influence on biological pathogens appearing and spreading. Globalization, economic and social integration, climate change, human intervention, new high-tech products in agriculture and day-to-day life, developments in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics all play their role. The result is an ever-changing microcosm characterized by a wider distribution area, species barriers being overcome, and the purposeful development and spread of pathogens. Countries in the Asia Pacific are most exposed to health threats arising from epidemics, unlawful use of genetic technology, and synthetic biology. That said, economic integration and the rapid development of biotechnology in the region, as well as expanding collaboration in the field between the public, private, and scientific sectors, is giving rise to new ways of managing these risks. What are the main global and regional biosecurity threats? Is a man-made epidemic a genuine possibility? What effect will new innovative drugs have on solving the issue of biosecurity across the globe? What new technologies do Asia-Pacific nations possess to manage biosecurity risks? Are public and private investments effectively planned and allocated? What is the role of national and international regulation, and of regional collaboration in fostering these investments and eliminating threats?

Moderator:
Anna Popova — Head, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing

Panellists:
Sujariyakul Anupong — Senior Expert in Preventive Medicine, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health of the Kingdom of Thailand
Lkhamjav Byambasuren — Deputy Minister of Health of Mongolia
Mikhail Kotyukov — Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
Sergei Kraevoi — Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation
Dorit Nitzan — Acting Regional Emergency Director for the European Region, Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization
Dang Hong Trien — Co-Director General, Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center

Front row participant:
Victoria Panova — Vice-Rector for International Relations, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)

Investors have come to trust advanced special economic zones (ASEZs) and the Free Port of Vladivostok (FPV) over the last five years: more than 1,700 residents are implementing projects valued at roughly USD 60 billion. Such projects include both megaprojects and small businesses. A total of 230 projects have already been implemented with investment of more than USD 6 billion and the creation of over 25,000 jobs. Competition for investors is intensifying in the Asia-Pacific region. The preferential regimes that have been created in the Far East must keep pace with the changing needs of business in order to ensure the necessary level of economic growth in the macro-region and the country as a whole. What can be done to develop the potential of preferential regimes, enhance their competitiveness, and improve their investment appeal for business? What additional measures should the Russian government take to make the Far East an attractive place for Russian and foreign investors, and what role should the regional authorities play?

Moderator:
Mikhail Orlov — Partner, Head of Tax and Legal, KPMG Russia

Panellists:
Sergey Bachin — General Director, Roza Khutor
Dmitry Gavrilin — Chief Executive Officer, Tigers Realm Coal
Vadim Zhivulin — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Aslan Kanukoev — Acting General Director, Corporation for Far East Development
Aleksey Kozlov — Member of the Management Board, Managing Director, SIBUR
Vadim Medvedev — Managing Director of Investment Department, ESN Group
Andrei Minaev — Member of the Board, Association of Industrial Parks of Russia (AIP)
Sergey Tyrtsev — First Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic

Front row participants:
Alexey Kozhevnikov — Senior Vice President, Russian Export Center
Alexander Osipov — Acting Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory
Vadim Khromov — Deputy Chairman of the Moscow Region Government

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China, presenting a timely opportunity to summarize the progress made and to outline the next steps in achieving high-level targets, including trade volumes. An open dialogue on business cooperation is essential and remains relevant in the light of changes to staff duties and skills, given that the geographical scope of business ties is expanding and both priority areas for cooperation and collaboration formats are diversifying as they become increasingly geared towards market conditions. How can we achieve the USD 200 billion trade performance target between Russia and China? Long-standing sectors: how can we advance the projects listed under the Russia–China cooperation programme by 2024? What is the trajectory when implementing projects in traditional sectors of cooperation? The year in summary: what new avenues of collaboration and potential projects have arisen over the past year? What agreements have been signed and which projects have passed the pre-feasibility study stage? Technological opportunities in the Far East: Big Data as a resource; electronic-based infrastructure; information technology and creating a unified space.

Moderator:
Andrei Bystritsky — Chairman of the Board, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club; Professor, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Panellists:
Konstantin Bogdanenko — Acting Vice Governor of Primorsky Territory
Sun Guoqiang — President, Zhongding Dairy Farming Co., Ltd
Long Dawei — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chengzhi
Sergey Iniushin — Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the People's Republic of China
Boris Krasnovskiy — General Director, ESN Group
Alexander Krutikov — Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic
Liu Xusheng — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dalian Shangpintang
Zhao Jiejun — Vice President, Mengniu Dairy Company Limited

Front row participants:
Roman Vityazev — Chairman, Far Eastern Union of Mariculture Enterprises; Chairman, Hyperion
Sergey Lebedev — Director for Government Relations, Alibaba Russia
Yang Tingting — Chairman, China Commercial Counsellor and Entrepreneurs Association
Oleg Chizh — Deputy Co-Chief Executive Officer, Russia-China Investment Fund (RCIF)

The Asia Pacific not only continues to be the main driver of global economic growth, but also demand for hydrocarbons at all process stages. Access to this market is therefore key to success. A combination of technological effectiveness, efficiency, and logistics is needed in order to be competitive. Petrochemicals make up a segment offering the highest added value, thereby giving investors added returns. As external competition intensifies, so it becomes ever-more crucial to select the right development path for petrochemical projects in the Far East’s cluster. The immediate proximity to the premium market of the Asia Pacific, offering potential exports of over RUB 230 billion, provides an additional benefit to petrochemical projects. The Power of Siberia and the Eastern Siberia–Pacific Ocean pipelines are providing new opportunities to attract investment and spur regional growth. The Amur gas and chemical cluster, Sakhalin, and Nakhodka could become key hubs for creating a new petrochemical production infrastructure. What needs to be done to unlock this potential? In what way is the strategy for developing the Far East’s petrochemical cluster unique, and how might it be affected by global trends and various development scenarios in the industry? Should major companies be increasing low-tonnage production of chemicals, or is this the prerogative of niche players? What high value-added products will be in demand on the domestic and international markets? Will the tax reform affect the cost of raw materials for the petrochemicals sector? What forms of support need to be put in place for investors and the sector as a whole?

Moderator:
Marina Belyakova — Partner, EY

Panellists:
Grigory Berezkin — Chairman of the Board of Directors, ESN Group
Viktor Evtukhov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Dmitry Konov — Chairman of the Management Board, SIBUR Holding
Andrey Kutepov — Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy, Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Pavel Sorokin — Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Sutyaginskiy — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Titan Group of Companies

Front row participant:
Anastasiya Nabatchikova — Head of Director Petrochemicals, Far East Investment and Export Agency

Russia’s national project on culture aims to increase global interest in the country’s national cultural heritage. The challenge for Russia is not just to preserve and enrich its culture, but to make culture accessible to all of Russian society and meet the growing demand for Russian culture in the international arena. The creation of regional cultural centres and the introduction of digital technologies have helped get more people involved in culture. Developing and fostering interest in Russian culture among the public is important since cultural education not only helps foster aesthetic awareness, but also aids socialization and personal development. What initiatives are being implemented to nurture and enlighten the public in cultural affairs? Do standards need to be introduced in cultural education, and how will this help achieve the goals of the national project? What prospects exist for cooperation between institutions, the government, and the business community in matters concerning cultural education?

Moderator:
Vadim Kovalev — First Deputy Executive Director, Russian Managers Association

Panellists:
Ilya Averbukh — Russian Figure Skater, Honored Master of Sports; Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Ilya Averbukh Production Company
Olga Golodets — Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
Martha De Laurentiis — Producer of Film and Television; President, De Laurentiis Company
Innokentiy Dementyev — Deputy General Director, Presidential Grants Foundation
Pavel Stepanov — Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation
Zelfira Tregulova — General Director, The State Tretyakov Gallery

Front row participant:
Asya Gabysheva — Development Fund Founder, National Art Museum of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

The Far Eastern fishing basin has entered a new 15-year period in which more and more permits will be allocated to use aquatic biological resources. Investment projects that aim to rejuvenate the industry are under way. The launch of 15 new fish processing plants and the construction of 17 modern vessels will help to double the share of processed products, while the share of raw materials processing will reach 30%. Given the growth in bioresource output, the freight turnover of fish products at Far East ports is projected to increase from the current 850,000 tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes by 2025. This will require investment solutions concerning port logistics as well as the construction of distribution and refrigeration facilities. How can we alter the current production model and increase the output of finished fish products per unit of raw materials? What new products should be developed and what markets should Russia enter? What are the main drivers for attracting investment to the Far East fishing business in the period to 2025? What measures should the government take to help maintain and repair the fishing fleet? How can we guarantee obligations for the construction of a fleet in the Far East?

Moderators:
Leonid Petukhov — Chief Executive Officer, Far East Investment and Export Agency
Sergey Tarusov — Chairman, Lenin Collective Farm Fishery

Panellists:
Sergey Darkin — President, Pacific Investment Group (TIGR)
German Zverev — President, All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters
Dmitry Pashov — President, Moneron
Vladimir Sitnov — Senior Vice President, Sberbank
Ilya Shestakov — Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation; Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo)

Front row participants:
Alexander Efremov — Managing Director, Dobroflot Group of Companies
Oleg Komarov — General Director, Technological Equipment
Oleg Myachin — General Director, Trier
Alexey Rakhmanov — President, United Shipbuilding Corporation
Sergey Sklyar — Vice President, Antey
Mikhail Sobolev — First Deputy Governor – Chairman of the Government of the Chukotka Autonomous Area

Despite the rapid multifaceted development of the Far East, in some ways life is standing still. One example is the level of financial literacy of the population, especially regarding housing and utilities and the purchase and rental of housing. The peripheral position of the region, coupled with its low population density, means the risk of fraud is high. While residents of the central regions of Russia have the tools to deal with fraudsters, in the Far East this is still problematic. How can the quality of life of residents in the Far East be improved and their rights as consumers of financial services protected?

Moderator:
Olga Merkulova — Managing Director, East

Panellists:
Olga Arintseva — Head of Projects of Project Office, Center for Housing Enlightenment
Oleg Buklemishev — Director, Center for Economic Policy Research Economic Faculty of Moscow State University
Anastasia Podrugina — Head of Expert and Analytics Group, Center of Soical and Economics Policy Analysis
Anton Tabakh — Managing Director for Macroeconomic Analysis and Forecasting, Rating Agency Expert RA
Marina Tolstel — Deputy Director for Research and External Relations, Institute of World Economy and Finance

The transshipment of coal and bulk cargo in the Far East is of great importance to the economies of the Far East, as well as to Russia and Asian countries, but environmental issues need to be addressed. The open-air transshipment of dusty cargoes in seaports ill-equipped to handle them leads to increased air pollution, impacting the environment of the surrounding area. Currently, it is impossible to completely abandon the practice of open-air coal transshipments, but in the interests of residents living close to ports, new advanced technologies for the transshipment of goods based on the most stringent environmental standards are required. How can regulatory organizations ensure effective control of the coal transshipment process in the Russian Far East? How can we encourage stevedores to use modern, environmentally friendly technologies in order to protect the health of the region’s inhabitants? What needs to be done to set up effective environmental monitoring systems? What Russian and international experience in minimizing dust generation during coal transshipment in ports can we draw from?

Moderator:
Victor Ryadinsky — Expert, Federal Supervisory Natural Resources Management Service, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Russian Federation; Winner of the Ecology Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation

Panellists:
Alexander Agоshkov — President, Pacific Academy of Environmental and Health Sciences; Head of the Department of Life Safety in Technosphere, Far Eastern Federal University
Yana Blinovskaya — Doctor of Technical Sciences; Professor, Department of Life Safety in Emergencies and Environmental Protection, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)
Vladimir Grigoryev — Member of the Board of Directors, Association of Commercial Sea Ports; General Director, AO Nakhodka Trade Seaport
Sergey Ostakh — Head, Scientific and Technical Section for Best Available Technique Reference Documents, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Alexander Shabarov — Professor, University of Tyumen (UTMN); Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation

Nutrients, such as carbohydrate, lipid, protein, vitamins and minerals, are essential for daily activities and growth of our body. However, there are organic compounds in food materials, which do not belong to these categories but have beneficial effect to human health. Foods, which contain these compounds, are defined as functional foods. How do these products look like? What are the molecular mechanisms, which make compounds work in the human body? How does fundamental science interact with modern market nowadays?

Panellist:
Yuji Yamamoto — Professor, Vice-President, Director of NODAI Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture

The number of tourists visiting the Russian Far East is continuing to grow unabated. In 2018 the figure reached a record 6.9 million people, representing a 53% increase over the previous three years. Of these, 980,000 came from outside Russia. A number of steps are being taken to support investment projects in this area. A simplified electronic visa system is in place for tourists from 19 countries, as is a VAT refund system. Flights to the Far East are subsidized, the hotel industry is exempt from income tax, the Eastern Ring of Russia interregional project is under way, and new tourist attractions are being developed. Nevertheless, a range of barriers still need to be overcome. Transport infrastructure remains insufficiently developed, levels of service can be low, flights within the Far East are expensive, and there is not enough high-quality accommodation. What should be done to develop the region’s airport infrastructure? Should they be managed independently, or should professionals be brought in from elsewhere? What are the prospects for developing cruise tourism? How many new hotels does the Far East need?

Moderator:
Olga Arkhangelskaya — Partner, Head of Real Estate, Hospitality, and Construction Services, Head of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Government, and Public Group in the CIS, EY

Panellists:
Sergey Bachin — General Director, Roza Khutor
Olga Golodets — Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
Taras Demura — General Director, TUI Russia
Zarina Doguzova — Head, Russian Federal Agency for Tourism
Ueki Yoshiharu — Representative Director, Chairman, Japan Airlines
Choi SeungHwan — Chief Executive Officer, Hanchang Co., Ltd
Evgeniy Chudnovskiy — Director General, Airports of Regions

Front row participants:
Roman Glushak — Head, Representative Office in the Far East Federal District, Russian Export Centre
Mark Dudley — Regional Director, InterPacific Aviation and Marketing, Inc.
Alexander Idrisov — President, Founder, Strategy Partners Group
Valeriy Nagorny — General Director, Vladivostok Sea Terminal
Nataliya Pakholkova — Acting Head, Agency for Tourism of Sakhalin Region
Alexander Romanov — Executive Director, Infrastructure Financing Division, VTB Capital
Elena Stratonova — Head, Agency for Tourism and External Relations of Kamchatskiy Krai
Olga Tkacheva — Deputy General Director for Strategic Development and Marketing, Flotiliya
Alexey Tsedenov — Head of the Republic of Buryatia
Konstantin Shestakov — Director of Tourism Department, Administration of the Primorsky Krai

Russia’s Far East accounts for 51% of timber resources in the Asia-Pacific Region. Despite this, the timber industry primarily remains an exporter of raw materials and its contribution to the regional economy does not exceed 1.5%. Only 74% of the timber cut in Russia is used to make commercial products, as opposed to 95–97% in the rest of the world. What can we do to improve the economic efficiency of forest development projects and the construction of forest infrastructure? Do protective duties help to develop advanced timber processing enterprises? How would a forest investment bank work? Would it make sense to utilize the Tax Incentives in Exchange for Investments programme when building forest infrastructure? What are the prospects for the Unified Far Eastern Effective Forest Management Centre? Which kinds of production are worth investing in, and which projects will be the most effective? How should businesses be encouraged to work on forest restoration? Could exchange mechanisms actually be utilized in the industry?

Moderator:
Alexey Chekunkov — Chief Executive Officer, Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund

Panellists:
Kirill Berman — Minister of Information Technology and Communication of the Khabarovsk Krai
Dmitri Valtfogel — Chief Executive Officer, RFP Group
Maxim Duz — Deputy General Director, Far East Investment and Export Agency
Viktor Evtukhov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Klinov — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Forestry
Nikolay Nikolaev — Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, Property and Land Relations, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Alexander Osipov — Acting Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory
Igor Prutov — Partner, Transaction Advisory Services, EY
Alexey Ryzhikov — Managing Director, Saint-Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange
Vladimir Sitnov — Senior Vice President, Sberbank
Mikhail Shamolin — President, Chairman of the Board, Segezha Group

Front row participants:
Maxim Kobin — Managing Director for Client Work, Russian Export Center
Igor Muraev — Director, Roslesinforg
Kazuhisa Hara — Executive Advisor, EREX Co.

The rapid and progressive development of trade and economic relations with countries of the Asia-Pacific Region (APR) is currently one of Russia’s top priorities in the international arena. APR countries have established themselves as world leaders in terms of economic growth and overall prosperity in recent decades. At the same time, the growing volatility of the global economy has had a negative impact on the prospects for the region’s further development. Existing ties and value chains have come under serious pressure due to the escalation of protectionism and the growing number of different barriers in trade and economic cooperation. As a result, the APR has placed increasing importance on the diversification of trade and economic cooperation with external partners. Russia and the EAEU have already become important markets for Asian business. Many companies are not only increasing trade, but are also investing in the creation of new industries in these countries. However, the potential for cooperation remains largely untapped. The reasons for this include an outdated international regulatory framework, undeveloped logistics, various barriers, and a lack of awareness. What mechanisms employed in the APR to stimulate development are the most effective? What are some of the key barriers for taking cooperation to a new level? What possible solutions exist to fundamentally improve the situation?

Moderator:
Alexander Shokhin — President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP)

Panellists:
Sharan Burrow — General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation
Trinh Dinh Dung — Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Alexey Kalitsev — Managing Director, Hyundai Motor Company/CIS LLC
Pavel Minakir — Academic Policy Advisor, Economic Research Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Veronika Nikishina — Member of the Board, Minister in Charge of Trade, Eurasian Economic Commission
Oleg Novachuk — Chairman of the Board of Directors, KAZ Minerals
Mikhail Orlov — Partner, Head of Tax and Legal, KPMG Russia
Nguyen Thanh Hung — Chairman of the Board of Directors, SOVICO Groups
Liu Zhenya — Chairman, Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO)

Front row participant:
Andrey Shtorkh — Member of the Executive Board, Director for Strategic Communications, Renova Group of Companies

The Digital Economy of the Russian Federation national programme aims to increase Russia’s share in world data storage and processing services from 0.9% in 2018 to 5% in 2024. The country has enormous potential for the consumption of such services and has many characteristics that are typical for countries with a high level of appeal for building data centres – available sites for development, affordable and available electricity, a favourable climate, low frequency of natural disasters, an abundance of water, well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, and qualified IT and engineering personnel. Russia plans to utilize these conditions both in order to encourage international companies to store and process data within the country and to attract foreign investors for the construction of data centres and new backbone telecoms infrastructure. What competitive advantages does the Russian data storage and processing market offer? How can Russia enhance the appeal of its data storage and processing market for foreign companies? What new investment opportunities are emerging on the data processing and storage market in light of the digitalization of the Russian economy? How can we further integrate the Russian data centre industry and cloud services into the global market through the establishment of effective partnerships with international players? How should we build effective interaction with foreign providers that are potentially interested in having a presence in the Russian Federation?

Moderator:
Tatiana Tolmacheva — Managing Partner, iKS-Consulting

Panellists:
Richard Van Vageningen — Senior Vice President of Middle East, Africa and Russia (IMEAR), Orange Business Services
Yevgeny Virtser — General Director, INSYSTEMS
Mikhail Grudinin — President, Giprogor Project City Planning Institute of Spatial Modelling and Development
Zhao Lei — President, Carrier Network Business Group, Huawei Eurasia
Sergey Mytenkov — Vice President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP)
Afanasiy Savvin — General Director, Sakha Republic Development Corporation
Valery Shorzhin — Member of the Management Board, Vice President for Cloud and Digital Solutions, MTS

Equality for women in the global economy is becoming one of the most important issues on the agenda for human capital, economic growth, and sustainable development. Around the world today, 740 million women (58% of the total number of employed women) hold insignificant and low-paying positions, which is impeding the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, the contribution made by women to developing education and shaping the workforce of the future is particularly important. The growing involvement of women in these areas helps to enhance the competitiveness of economies, introduce innovations, and create new approaches to the development of the digital economy. What role do women play in introducing innovations in education? How does boosting women’s involvement in shaping workforce potential impact growth in modern economies? What skills do women need to develop in this changing world, and what new professional roles are women taking on in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution?

Moderator:
Victoria Panova — Vice-Rector for International Relations, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)

Panellists:
Irina Arkhipova — Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola HBC Russia
Anna Visotskaya — Director, Far Eastern Branch of Orien
Marina Zhunich — Director for Government Relations, Google Russia
Satsuki Katayama — Minister of State for Regional Revitalization; Minister of State for Regulatory Reform; Minister of State for Gender Equality; Minister in charge of Women's Empowerment
Apurva Sanghi — Acting Country Director for the Russian Federation, The World Bank Group
Natalya Tretyak — First Vice President, Gazprombank

Contemporary business models are undergoing rapid transformation. In particular, defined ecosystems are forming around industrial enterprises, whose participants – from suppliers to universities – are either directly or indirectly becoming part of the company’s value chain. There are examples of these ecosystems in Russia, namely economically successful single-industry cities which, with the support of one or several companies, create a modern and comfortable habitat for residents, build long-term plans to diversify its economy, and develop social infrastructure. How can we build on these ecosystems effectively? What role should government and corporate universities play in its development? Which projects should companies advance so that investment in ecosystems is not done in vain? Are there effective models under which businesses and local communities share the same values?

Moderator:
Alexey Bobrovsky — Head of the Economic Programme, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists:
Igor Drozdov — Chairman of the Board, Skolkovo Foundation
Igor Korytko — Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, Tube Metallurgical Company (TMK)
Viktor Lesh — General Director, Sinara – Transport Machines (STM)
Sergey Nosov — Governor of Magadan Region
Elena Rakhimova — Deputy Director for Special Commissions, Rostec
Andrei Filatov — General Manager, SAP CIS
Philippe Heim — Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Societe Generale SA

Front row participant:
Daniil Sandler — Vice-Rector for Economics and Strategic Development, Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N.Yeltsin

Russia’s Arctic shelf has an enormous resource potential of around 17.3 billion tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons and 85.1 trillion cubic metres of gas. Yet it is not currently contributing to Russia’s economic development, as the deadlines for implementing offshore projects have not been met. This is primarily due to a lack of competition. Only state-owned companies with at least five years of experience working offshore have access to offshore development. External restrictions on access to concessional financing and technology pose an additional obstacle. Experts predict that lost profits from the slowdown in offshore projects, as estimated in GDP growth, could reach USD 300 billion by 2035. Should Russia’s Arctic shelf be put to use economically? Is Norway’s experience applicable when it comes to developing Russia’s offshore deposits? Should investors be granted expanded access to subsoil sections on the shelf? What does business need from the government to start investing in offshore projects?

Moderator:
Magomed Gekhaev — Advisor to the General Director, Far East Investment and Export Agency

Panellists:
Alexander Krutikov — Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic
Andrey Patrushev — Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Shelf Projects Development, Gazprom Neft
Pavel Sorokin — Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation
Denis Khramov — First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Front row participant:
Kirill Molodtsov — Aide to the Chief of Staff, Presidential Executive Office

Robotic surgery, 3D-printed biological implants, blockchain, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things for medicine, genome editing technology, and biohacking – the global medicine industry has entered a fundamentally new era. The establishment of the International Medical Cluster in Vladivostok will help to develop healthcare in the country by intensifying the transfer of modern technologies and treatment guidelines to Russia while also meeting demand in the Asia-Pacific Region for high-quality medical services, as evidenced by increased medical tourism in China and the Russian Far East. What new technologies and treatment methods will become available to residents of the Far East once the International Medical Cluster is built? How can we boost medical tourism from the Far East to the region and attract additional tourism from Northern China? What barriers are preventing foreign investors from implementing medical projects in the Far East today? Why are best practices in medicine the key to improving people’s quality of life in the country and increasing life expectancy, and not a threat to the national healthcare system?

Moderator:
Kirill Kaem — Senior Vice-President for Innovations, Skolkovo Foundation

Panellists:
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East
Oleg Salagay — Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation
Sunil Sachdeva — Co-founder, Medanta
Alexander Khasin — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Centre for Development of Nuclear Medicine of Ulan-Ude
Woojin Hwang — Managing Director, Massachusetts Institute of Innovation (Asia)
Lee Jeong Zoo — President, Pusan National University Hospital

Front row participant:
Yury Khotimchenko — Director, School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)

More than three years have passed since the establishment of advanced special economic zones (ASEZs) and the Free Port of Vladivostok (FPV) in the Far East. The time has come to hold discussions with current and potential residents as to whether everything is working as intended and as stipulated in legislation, and whether investors’ expectations have been met. These discussions will focus on the following questions: is it easy to become and be an ASEZ/FPV resident? What are the best and worst practices at ASEZs/the FPV? Are the existing rules governing ASEZs/the FPV effective and sufficient in terms of tax, customs, urban planning, and other preferences and incentives for the implementation of investment projects in various sectors of the economy? How should best compliance practices at authorized bodies, management companies, regulators, and control (supervisory) bodies be applied to ASEZ/FPV issues?

Moderator:
Leonid Agafonov — Member of the Public Council of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic; Managing Director, EastRussia

Panellists:
Denis Gros — Managing Partner, DA! Development Group; Executive Director, Avangard Industrial Park
Kirill Kamenev — Managing Director of Investment Department, Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund
Roman Kapinos — Deputy Chairman of the Board, SME Bank
Gleb Kicha — Acting First Deputy Head, Far Eastern Customs Directorate
Anton Skorik — Chairman, Vladivostok Free Port Residents Support Association; General Director, Renaissance
Olga Surikova — Head of Far East Practice, KPMG in Russia and the CIS
Yury Tyamushkin — General Director, VaninoTransUgol
Nikolay Kharitonov — Chairman of the Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Anna Tsivileva — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kolmar Group
Alexander Shumatov — General Director, Children’s Health Centre

Front row participants:
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East
Aslan Kanukoev — Acting General Director, Corporation for Far East Development