Outcomes of the Eastern Economic Forum 2021

6 September 2021

Outcomes of the Eastern Economic Forum 2021

Vladivostok hosted the 6th Eastern Economic Forum on 2–4 September. This year’s event took place under the theme “Opportunities for the Far East in a World under Transformation”.

“We held the 6th Eastern Economic Forum at a time when it was essential to put restrictions in place due to the risk posed by the coronavirus. This affected the number of participants at the event. Nevertheless, as in previous years, the Forum welcomed heads of government bodies and business representatives from a large number of countries around the world. We have informed the President of Russia of the outcomes of the event, and have set out our plans for the coming period. Vladimir Putin supported many of our proposals, and has issued instructions covering subsequent steps to take in relation to development in the Far East. We will continue to work on attracting investment to the Far East from Russian and international companies. We will endeavour to offer new opportunities as we turn the Far East into a recognized tech hub.

“All in all, the development of the Far East is a highly profitable enterprise. We were able to report at the Forum that grants to the Far East have already been more than recouped. We have put RUB 80 billion into the region, and have seen tax revenue from companies benefitting from incentives reach RUB 123 billion. In other words, the public purse has already directly benefitted from development in the Far East. We need to continue and expand efforts in this area. We need to think more about how we can encourage investment for new enterprises and developing industries,” said Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev.

EEF 2021 included a range of new features, with Trutnev in particular highlighting a meeting between the head of state and a number of moderators. “Vladimir Putin viewed the meeting with moderators to be one of the more beneficial formats we put forward for his consideration at the Forum. It seems to me that we have made a small step forward in terms of the Forum’s effectiveness. The proposals considered by business representatives and industry experts to be the most important were put to the President for consideration,” he said.

“Once again, the Eastern Economic Forum has proven to meet a real need among government officials, the business community, and experts from Russia and the Asia-Pacific region. The Forum brought together more than 4,000 participants, including more than 400 heads of companies, and journalists from 58 countries. The highest-profile delegations were from South Korea, Japan, India, China, and Kazakhstan. A rich business programme was put together, incorporating more than 100 events focusing on the most pressing issues on the regional and global agendas. More than 900 speakers and moderators took part in discussions. What’s more, a record 380 agreements were signed at the Forum worth a total of RUB 3.6 trillion. These figures pay testament to the practical benefits offered by the Forum, as well as to the role the event plays in the development of the Far East,” said Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the EEF Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov.

Business programme

The Forum hosted more than 100 events, including a range of panel discussions, roundtables, and business dialogues. Together, they covered the most pressing issues on the regional and international agendas.

Discussions were held across four key areas:

· The New Economy: What Changes and What Stays the Same

· The Far East: New Challenges and Opportunities

· Our Shared Responsibility in a Changing World

· Youth EEF

The central event of the 6th Eastern Economic Forum was the plenary session, which was attended by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. Online participants included President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh.

There were also video greetings by President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

The discussion was moderated by Sergey Brilev, Anchor for Russia TV Channel.

The Forum hosted a wide range of events, including the following:

· Seven country-specific business dialogues: Russia–ASEAN, Russia–Italy, Russia–China, Russia–Europe, Russia–India, Russia–Japan, and Russia–Republic of Korea

· The 10th APEC Conference on Cooperation in Higher Education in the Asia Pacific Region

· An international conference dedicated to the centenary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Mongolia

· A discussion on the Greater Eurasian Partnership

The Building Trust Area hosted 17 events held as part of the Creative Business Forum, Innovation Space, the Healthy Life Project, and Innosocium Lab.

Youth EEF

Youth EEF was a new feature at this year’s Forum, incorporating 20 events in total. Among those participating in the sessions were young entrepreneurs from the Far East, local business owners and managers, participants and finalists of various projects held under the Russia – Land of Opportunity presidential platform, participants and finalists of the Big Change Russian nationwide competition for school pupils, participants and finalists of the Your Move Russian nationwide competition for students, thought leaders, representatives of the creative industries, and figures from public and non-profit organizations.

On 2–3 September, participants were able to visit panel sessions taking place as part of the main business programme, before attending and speaking at Youth EEF on 4 September. A range of topics came under the spotlight, including the values of young people from the Far East, obstacles encountered by young entrepreneurs, the education system, the impact of social media, the future of the financial market, copyright, raising investment, getting young people involved in developing the urban environment, career guidance, the Greater Eurasian Partnership, cooperation with young people in other countries, and the adaptation of the tourist industry.

Participants

Among those to attend the Forum in person was Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar. First-time attendees included Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India Hardeep Singh Puri, and Minister of Planning and Finance of Myanmar Win Shein.

The Forum was attended by diplomatic representatives of 25 countries, including Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Chile, China, Finland, Germany, Grenada, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Myanmar, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Also participating in the Forum were Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov, and Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Maxim Oreshkin.

EEF was attended by eight Russian federal ministers: Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education; Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic; Alexander Kozlov, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade; Oleg Matytsin, Minister of Sport; Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Labour and Social Protection; Vitaly Savelyev, Minister of Transport; and Nikolai Shulginov, Minister of Energy.

The Forum also brought together 10 heads of Russian federal services and agencies, including Oleg Skufinsky, Head of the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr); Dmitry Shugayev, Director of the Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation; Grigory Ivliev, Head of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent); Anna Popova, Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor); Ksenia Razuvayeva, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh); Igor Barinov, Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs; Evgeny Primakov, Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo); Evgeny Petrov, Head of the Federal Agency for Mineral Resources; Ilya Shestakov, Head of the Federal Agency for Fisheries; and Zarina Doguzova, Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism.

Twelve Russian regional leaders took part, including Governor of Kemerovo Region Sergei Tsivilev, Governor of the Jewish Autonomous Region Rostislav Goldstein, Governor of Transbaikal Territory Alexander Osipov, Governor of Kamchatka Territory Vladimir Solodov, Governor of Magadan Region Sergei Nosov, Governor of Primorye Territory Oleg Kozhemyako, Head of the Altai Republic Oleg Khorokhordin, Head of the Republic of Buryatia Alexei Tsydenov, Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Aisen Nikolayev, Governor of Sakhalin Region Valery Limarenko, Acting Governor of Khabarovsk Territory Mikhail Degtyaryov, and Governor of Chukotka Autonomous District Roman Kopin.

Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Igor Krasnov also attended the Forum.

In addition, the private sector was well represented, with the Forum welcoming a number of top executives from leading international companies. These included Chief Executive Officer of Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) Sam Hyun Ka, CEO of KT Corporation Hyeon-Mo Ku, Chairman Emeritus and Board Director of Iida Group Holdings Kazuhiko Mori, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of DP World Group Limited Sultan Ahmed Sultan Bin Sulayem, as well as representatives of prominent international companies such as Deloitte and Touche CIS, China Railway Construction Corporation International Investment Group, and Schneider Electric.

This was the first edition of the Forum to welcome senior executives from a number of major Indian oil and gas companies, including GAIL India Limited, Oil India Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, and ONGC Videsh Limited.

Leading members of the Russian business community were similarly in attendance, including Vladimir Evtushenkov, Chairman of the Board of Sistema Financial Corporation; Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Gazprom Neft; Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Management Committee of Gazprom; Alexey Likhachev, Director General of ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation; Andrey Kostin, President and Chairman of VTB Bank; Leonid Mikhelson, Chairman of Management Board of NOVATEK; Dmitry Konov, Chairman of the Management Board of SIBUR Holding; Sergey Frank, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sovcomflot; and Vladimir Lavlentsev, General Director of Stroytransgaz.

Other participants included Non-Executive Chairman of EVRAZ Alexander Abramov and Oleg Novachuk, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KAZ Minerals, as well as President of the International Judo Fund Arkady Rotenberg.

Agreements

A total of 380 agreements worth RUB 3.6 trillion were signed at the Forum (excluding agreements where the figures were classified as commercial secrets).

Twenty-four of these were signed with foreign and international companies, ministries, and government bodies, including nine with China, six with Japan, three with Kazakhstan, and one each with Austria, Vietnam, Canada, Serbia, South Korea, and Ethiopia.

Five agreements were signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin:

· Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin and Head of Sberbank Herman Gref signed a memorandum of cooperation on the implementation of projects to promote the digital transformation of Kazakhstan, the transition to a platform model of digitalization, and the data-driven government concept.

· The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, VTB, VEB.RF, and ECN Group signed an agreement of intent to build ships using methanol fuel at Russian shipyards.

· Udokan Copper, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, and the government of Transbaikal Territory signed an agreement of intent to implement the second phase of a project to develop the Udokan Copper Deposit. The company is set to invest some RUB 289 billion in the construction of this second phase.

· The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, Khabarovsk Territory, and VEB.RF signed an agreement to build a Far Eastern children’s recreation and health centre in Khabarovsk Territory. Several accommodation blocks will be constructed, along with sporting, administrative, educational and health facilities. The project is slated for completion in 2024.

· VEB.RF, the Corporation for the Development of the Far East and Arctic, and the Fish Corporation Management Company signed an agreement to implement an investment project to comprehensively develop fish industry logistics in Russia.

In addition, three agreements were signed in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev:

· The Corporation for the Development of the Far East and Arctic and Primorsky Metallurgical Plant signed an investment agreement on the construction of a metallurgical plant at the Bolshoy Kamen advanced special economic zone in Primorye Territory. When completed, the plant will produce 1.5 million tonnes of large-format heavy plate and 250,000 tonnes of large‑diameter pipes per year. Zvezda – Russia’s only large tonnage shipyard and another resident of the Bolshoy Kamen ASEZ – will be the main consumer of flat steel.

· The Corporation for the Development of the Far East and Arctic, the Primorye Territory Development Corporation, the Primorye Territory Investment Agency, and Vostok Resorts signed an agreement to construct a world-class amusement park and golf club in Vladivostok, together with highly developed surrounding infrastructure. Investment in the project will total RUB 23.5 billion.

· The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic and INTERROS Holding Company signed a memorandum on the establishment of the Voskhod Foundation for Investment in Technology. The foundation will focus on high-tech projects in the fields of green technology, environmental monitoring and safety, renewable energy sources, digital technologies and industry 4.0, biotechnology and medicine, and educational technologies.

Other significant agreements included the following:

· Ruskhim Gas, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, Gazprombank, VTB, and VEB.RF signed an agreement to construct a methanol production plant with a capacity of 1.8 million tonnes per year. Investment will total RUB 204 billion.

· Amur Minerals and Gazprombank signed a syndicated credit agreement to provide funding to Amur Minerals, with investment totalling RUB 195 billion.

· Sberbank, Gazprombank, and the Russian Copper Company signed a syndicated credit agreement worth RUB 195 billion to fund the Russian Copper Company’s project to develop the Malmyzh Copper Deposit in Khabarovsk Territory.

· VEB.RF, Primorye Territory, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, the Corporation for the Development of the Far East and Arctic, and the Port Infrastructure Development Center signed a cooperation agreement in relation to a major port project. When completed, the new port will be able to process more than 70 million tonnes. Total investment in the project is estimated to reach up to RUB 180 billion.

· The Corporation for the Development of the Far East and Arctic and Primorsky Metallurgical Plant signed an agreement on the establishment of a production facility at the Bolshoy Kamen advanced special economic zone, with investment totalling RUB 158 billion.

· Atomflot and Atomenergomash signed an agreement worth more than RUB 100 billion to supply a modernized floating power unit.

· Stroytransgaz and KitayStroy signed an agreement worth RUB 20 billion to build a new cultural centre in Vladivostok.

Cultural programme

Far East Street was one of the central events on the EEF cultural programme. The exhibition, located on Ajax Bay Promenade, featured all 11 regions of the Russian Far East. Together, they showcased their potential and accomplishments in culture, tourism, and the economy. In addition, three federal ministries were featured: the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic.

A square containing relict plants native to the Far East was also opened on Ajax Bay Promenade. Among those taking part in the planting of the square were Alexey Chekunkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic; Oleg Matytsin, Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation; Konstantin Shestakov, Head of the City of Vladivostok; Alexander Stuglev, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Roscongress Foundation; and representatives of various national and regional government bodies.

Elsewhere, Primorye State Art Gallery put on a number of unique exhibitions for Forum guests and participants. One of the highlights was an exhibition entitled “Under the Venetian Sky: Vedute of the 18th Century from the Intesa Sanpaolo Collection”. Guests had the chance to view four canvases by landscape painters Canaletto, Francesco Guardi, Michele Marieschi and Hendrik Frans van Lint. The works represent some of the most outstanding examples of Venetian painting.

Other events on the cultural programme included the following:

· Russian Art: From Icon Painting to the Avant-Garde (exhibition)

· The Union of Earth and Water. Seashells in Works of Applied Art from the 16th to 21st Century from the State Hermitage Collection (exhibition)

· Opening ceremony for an innovative light-and-music fountain, with the participation of Sberbank and Vladivostok city administration

· An evening of classical music with opera singer and People’s Artist of Russia Hibla Gerzmava

· Stars of Russian Radio – a concert featuring Dima Bilan, Vyacheslav Butusov, Masha Veber, and others

The EEF 2021 cultural programme also incorporated exhibitions and guided tours by the Arseniev Museum of Far East History, concerts by the Primorye Regional Philharmonic and other cultural institutions, and film screenings.

Partners of the cultural programme included the Gold Prospectors Association of Primorye, the Commercial Port of Vladivostok, DNS Development, and T1 Group.

Sporting programme

The main sporting event of EEF 2021 was the Kanō Jigorō International Judo Tournament, which was held under the patronage of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. The traditional fixture took place this year under a new format, consisting of a match between the Russian junior team and a world junior team made up of 2019 world championship prize-winners from Germany, Hungary, France, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Tajikistan. The match ended in victory for the Russian team.

This was the second edition of EEF to host a stage of the Mixed Doubles World Curling Tour. The tournament in Vladivostok opened the international Olympic season for the sporting discipline.

The Russian Surfing Championship was another event to take place as part of the sporting programme. The competition determined Russia’s best competitor at long-boarding and SUP boarding.

The Russian Ministry of Sport’s pavilion at Far East Street hosted several tournaments where competitors attempted to achieve benchmarks set by the Ready for Labour and Defence programme.

Other events to take place as part of the sporting programme included the following:

· The Roscongress Cup gala ice hockey match

· The Roscongress Business Cup tennis tournament

· The 2nd Far Eastern Games interregional festival for the Far Eastern Federal District

· The Skolkovo-Eastern gala football match

· The Skolkovo-Eastern gala basketball match

· The Roscongress Cup curling tournament for EEF participants

· The Roscongress Cup Platu-25 sailing regatta

Partners of the sporting programme included Mantera Group, and the Russian National Commercial Bank.

Exhibitions

EEF 2021 also saw several exhibitions of various kinds take place.

An exhibition by the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic presented the outcomes of recent economic policy measures in the macroregion along with key industries in the economy, investment opportunities, the work and objectives of development institutions, current and future investment projects, and options offered by incentive regimes (advanced special economic zones and the Free Port of Vladivostok).

Exhibition spaces were also allocated to Russian government bodies under the name “Welcome to the Far East!” A number of organizations set up pavilions for the event:

· The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation

· The Federal Agency for Tourism

· Rosreestr

· The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

· The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

· The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation

· The office of the Prosecutor General

· The Russian Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, and the company Roscartography

· Rospotrebnadzor

· The Federal Medical-Biological Agency

· Rossotrudnichestvo

· The Federal Agency for Fisheries

The 6th Eastern Economic Forum also featured several photo exhibitions. An exhibition entitled “Transbaikal. The Flight” showcased works by famous sculptor Dashi Namdakov and renowned bladesmith Zhigzhit Bayaskhalanov – both natives of Transbaikal Territory.

Elsewhere, a photo exhibition entitled The Best Available Technologies was organized by the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company. It was dedicated to Vostochny Port – Russia’s largest specialized terminal offering high-tech coal transhipment from various Russian producers. The port also boasts a modern logistics infrastructure facility.

Themed areas

The EEF 2021 exhibition space included a number of themed areas. One of these – the Building Trust Area – provided a unique platform to bring together four initiatives by the Roscongress Foundation: the Creative Business Forum, the Innovation Space, the Healthy Life Project, and the Innosocium Lab. The area afforded extensive opportunities for representatives of government bodies, businesses, non-profit organizations, and the scientific community to engage in free and open discussions. There were also numerous business discussions, pitch sessions, and foresight sessions during EEF 2021.

EEF partners

Fifty-eight companies joined EEF 2021 as partners. These included VEB.RF, VTB Bank, Gazprom, RusHydro, SIBUR Holding, Hyundai Motor CIS, Rosseti, Aeroflot, Sberbank, Gazprombank, FESCO Group, Polyus, ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation, Rosneft, Udokan Copper, the Independent Petroleum Company, NOVATEK, Russian Post, Gazprom Neft, DOM.RF, Huawei, Kolmar Group, MTS, Norilsk Nickel, PIK, the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UMMC), Russian Agricultural Bank, Rusagro Group, Sibanthracite Group, TMK, Mars, Okko, KT Corporation (Korea Telecom), Russian Railways, VEB Ventures, New Land Grain Corridor Group, Pacific Investment Group, Key Point Logistics, Stroytransgaz, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), ALROSA, Almaz-Antey, Intellectual Utility Systems, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), TransContainer, VSK Insurance, Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO, BAIKALSEA Company, the Association of Volunteer Centres, Coca-Cola HBC Eurasia, PepsiCo Holdings, Orimi Trade Group, Russian Environmental Operator, V-TELL, Yamaguchi, and Korenovskiy Milk Processing Factory.

Media partners included Russia 24, TASS, Komsomolskaya Pravda Media Group, NTV, Rambler & Co (Gazeta.ru, Lenta.ru, the Secret of the Firm), Forbes, Argumenty i Fakty newspaper, FederalPress Information Holding, Business FM radio station, Echo of Moscow, Rossiya Segodnya International Media Group (RIA Novosti, Russia Today, Sputnik), Izvestia Multimedia Information Centre (Izvestia newspaper, RenTV television channel, Channel Five), Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Kommersant, Vedomosti, MIR Interstate TV and Radio Company, EXPERT magazine, RUTUBE, Russia Today, RBC, Interfax, EastRussia News and Analytical Agency, Chukotka News Agency (ProChukotku News Portal), Kamchatka News Agency (Kamchatka Today), Poluostrov Kamchatka online newspaper, Kamchatsky Krai newspaper, Gubernskie Vedomosti Publishing House: Gubernskie Vedomosti newspaper, skr.su, OTV TV company, TV-Kolyma-Plus, Khabarovsky Krai Segodnya (Khabarovsk Territory Today) News Agency, Gubernia (Khabarovsk) TV Channel – Gubernia Television News Agency, Lider News Agency – Argumenty i Fakty Dalinform, Molodoy Dalnevostochnik XXI Vek newspaper, Birobidzhan Regional News Agency, Birobidzhan Publishing House, Amurskaya Pravda newspaper, Pervy Oblastnoy (Amur Regional Television) TV channel, Zabaikalsky Rabochy regional newspaper, ChitaMedia Online News Agency, Zabaikalye Regional TV Channel, Buryaad Unen Publishing House, Vostok-Teleinform News Agency, Tivikom TV and Radio Company, Inform Polis Publishing House, Yakutskoe Sakha News Agency, NVK Sakha TV Channel, Vostok Media News Agency, Vostok 24 State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, Public Television of Primorye, Argumenty i Fakty: Primorye, Vladivostok branch of Komsomolskaya Pravda Media Group, PrimaMedia online edition, Konkurent Business Weekly, VTV, Nhan Dan, VNA, VOV, NHK, and CMG.

New features at EEF 2021

Creative Business Forum

Sessions held as part of the Creative Business Forum were included in the official business programme, and also took place at the Building Trust Area’s Innosocium Lab. The Innosocium Foundation – the Roscongress Foundation’s social platform – held discussions on key social topics, hosted the EAWF Retreat Lounge, and dedicated an entire day to working with non-profit organizations in an initiative run in cooperation with the Presidential Grants Foundation.

Several sessions were held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Grants Foundation. These covered topics related to the development of the creative industries in Russia and the non-profit sector.

EEF Junior

EEF Junior brought together senior-year school pupils, global business leaders, and government figures. This section of the Forum was organized by the Content Foundation for Expertise and Analysis as part of the Point Junior project. It was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the Roscongress Foundation, the Kruzhok Movement, and the Innopraktika non-governmental development institution.

The EEF Junior business programme included panel sessions and strategic discussions on a range of topics. These included the development of secondary vocational education, working in industrial corporations in the Far East, the influence of new cultural spaces on regional development, and ecosystems for supporting youth-led startups in Russia and abroad.

EEF Junior partners included the National Cultural Heritage Social and Cultural Projects Fund, SIBUR Holding, Synergy Corporation, Innopraktika, and the Kruzhok Movement.

Invest in Russia

Invest in Russia was another new feature at this year’s Forum. The platform focused on the investment agenda for Russia’s regions and the interests of international partners. The area was created by the Roscongress Foundation together with its subsidiary the RC Investment Foundation. The RC Investment Foundation is a centre of excellence specializing in supporting investment, business, and export-related projects implemented by the Roscongress Foundation’s partners.

The area was run in cooperation with the Russian-Chinese Business Council. Accordingly, it was named “Invest in Russia with the RCBC – where trust is built”. This collaboration made it possible to identify some of the most promising aspects related to raising investment in both countries, and to share relevant experience with respect to working with China and Asia-Pacific nations.

The area was made up of two zones: a meeting space for partners, and a space for lectures and agreement signing ceremonies.

The Forum’s Invest in Russia partners included Stroytransgaz Group (investment partner), the Russian-Chinese Business Council (general partner), the Russian Fishery Company, Pharmeco Group, SKA Arena, and GORKA Group.

FEFU Tech Lounge

Another new feature at EEF 2021 was a tech lounge entitled “Investing in the Far East: Technology, Education, and Science”, marking the Year of Science and Technology in Russia. It was organized by the Far Eastern Federal University in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. The lounge was established to draw as much attention as possible to e ducational and scientific projects which aim to build an innovation ecosystem in the Far East.

The business programme was made up of five sections: Priority 2030, Science, Education, High Technology, and New Territories. The lounge hosted 26 events in total.

Russian Programme for the Development of Youth Entrepreneurship

The Forum saw the launch of the Russian Programme for the Development of Youth Entrepreneurship – an initiative by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs.

The programme is set to be launched in 30 pilot regions this year, including three regions in the Far East (the Republic of Sakha [Yakutia], Primorye Territory, and Khabarovsk Territory). It consists of five main branches: training and accelerating projects, a mentorship system, the establishment of a young entrepreneurs’ club, competitions and thematic events for young entrepreneurs, and financial support for projects. The programme is set to be developed in a comprehensive manner, from studying the underlying principles of entrepreneurship, to supporting business development and expansion.

Friends for Leadership

Vladivostok welcomed Friends for Leadership participants from more than 20 Asia-Pacific nations. They were selected at a competition held under the auspices of the UN in partnership with the Roscongress Foundation, the UN Information Centre in Moscow, the UN75 Office, TV BRICS, and the Russian Centre for Promotion of International Initiatives. The competition also formed part of Rossotrudnichestvo’s New Generation presidential programme.

The young leaders used the Forum to present their sustainable development 2030 projects, and to put forward proposals aimed at supporting localized recovery in the wake of the crisis. Delegates had the chance to meet with Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Evgeny Primakov at EEF 2021, and to talk about initiatives which have the potential to be rolled out in Russia and the CIS.

A number of young leaders also participated in the main business programme and youth day programme as speakers.

Governors’ Club

During the Forum, the Governors’ Club hosted more than 60 meetings attended by the heads of the Jewish Autonomous Region, Chukotka Autonomous District, Sakhalin Region, and Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); the deputy governor of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Area; delegations from Japan and India; and ambassadors from India, Myanmar, Malta, South Africa, Finland, and other countries. In addition, a range of business events took place. These included a Governors’ Club meeting on the theme “Russia – Land of Opportunity”; an online charity auction entitled “Art against Misfortune” aimed at providing targeted support to artists who have suffered as a result of natural disasters; and a cocktail event entitled “Investing in the New Reality”. The latter event was moderated by Forbes Editorial Director Nikolay Uskov and featured Head of VTB Private Banking Dmitry Breytenbicher as keynote speaker. Participants discussed the state of the financial market during the pandemic, the mood among investors, the probability of risks, and key investment tools at a time of instability. They also speculated on how the industry might grow in the near future.

Alrosa was the general partner of the Governors’ Club. Partners included Almaz – Antey Corp., Intellectual Utility Systems, the Russian Direct Investment Fund, and TransContainer.

Roscongress Club

A now-regular feature of the Forum was the Roscongress Club – an exclusive closed space for members of the business, intellectual, and political elite to meet and hold discussions. Of the numerous events held at the club, one of the highlights was a public talk entitled “Creative & Business. Creative Ecology. Sustainable Development Goals Made Interesting and Easy”. The event was organized in cooperation with the Russian Media Group, and brought together variety stars, renowned experts in the creative industry, leading ecologists, show-business representatives, and famous bloggers. Among the figures attending the event were Dmitry Mednikov, Managing Director of Russian Media Group; Dmitry Alexeev, General Director of DNS Group, Dima Bilan, Honoured Artist of Russia, singer and actor; Tatyana Gulbina, Deputy Director for Environmental Education and Public Relations of Kronotsky State Reserve; and Tatiana Gulbina, 2019 Miss Russkoye Radio finalist (Miss Ecology).

Equinor was the Roscongress Club’s gold partner.

Hotel accommodation for EEF 2021 participants

More than 5,700 rooms in more than 20 hotels were made available to participants, journalists and workers involved in organizing the Forum. Of this figure, 1,700 rooms were located in hotels in Vladivostok, with around 4,000 at the FEFU campus.

Transport

Long-standing partner Hyundai Motor CIS once again had the status of Official Car of the Forum. In addition, an extensive shuttle bus service was put in place, connecting the airport, marine terminal, and hotels in Vladivostok to the Far Eastern Federal University – the venue for EEF 2021.

Volunteers

Around 650 volunteers from Vladivostok worked at the Forum, as well as a delegation consisting of the best volunteers from the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2021. The main role of the volunteers was to offer service-related support to participants.

Sanitary and epidemiological safety

A range of COVID-19 safety measures were put in place at the 6th Eastern Economic Forum venue to comply with recommendations set out by the World Health Organization and Rospotrebnadzor.

Participants and media representatives had to take a PCR test for COVID-19 at one of several specialized points. A negative result was required in order to take part in any events held as part of the Forum.

Several additional safety measures were in place at the EEF venue, including contactless temperature measurement. The Far Eastern Federal University was fitted with air recirculation and purification equipment. Spaces at the venue were also regularly cleaned and mopped using disinfectants.

Participants, workers, and volunteers were provided with masks and gloves. And cars transporting EEF guests were cleaned using antibacterial products after each journey.

Organizer

The Forum was organized by the Roscongress Foundation – a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of international conventions, exhibitions, and public events.

An infographic of key facts and figures for EEF 2021 can be viewed on the Roscongress.org Information and Analytical System.

Outcomes of the Eastern Economic Forum 2021

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