The Eastern Economic Forum is a key international platform for establishing and strengthening ties within the Russian and global investment communities, and for a comprehensive expert evaluation of the economic potential of the Russian Far East, the investment opportunities it offers, and business conditions within advanced special economic zones.
The Eastern Economic Forum was established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in 2015 to support the economic development of Russia’s Far East and to expand international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
"The Forum summarized ten years of work by the Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic. More than 7,000 people from 62 countries and territories took part. In addition to the traditionally friendly countries, the Eastern Economic Forum was also attended by all the countries that are not very friendly to us. These countries include the USA, the UK, Japan, Germany, and France. 373 agreements totalling RUB 3.818 trillion were signed on the sidelines of the Forum. The largest projects were signed by the Amur Region, for RUB 173 billion; Trans-Baikal Territory, for RUB 76 billion; Khabarovsk Territory, for RUB 72 billion; and Primorye Territory, for RUB 56 billion. The largest agreement, totalling RUB 136 billion, is with the Port Elga company for cooperation in implementing an investment project for the construction of a coal seaport terminal. A number of agreements have been signed on housing construction, primarily related to the Far East Quarter project."
In 2023, more than 7,000 participants and media representatives from 62 countries and territories, including Russia, took part in the Forum. Among them were approximately 2,400 business representatives. The largest delegations were sent by China, India, Myanmar, the Philippines, Laos, and Mongolia.
The Forum featured over 100 sessions in the main business programme dedicated to the most pressing topics on the international and regional agenda. More than 700 speakers and moderators participated.
EEF 2023 once again demonstrated that there are enough countries in the world that continue to strengthen business ties with Russia. At the Forum, 373 agreements totalling RUB 3.818 trillion were signed, including 41 agreements with foreign companies.
Among the participants of EEF were representatives from foreign governments, including Zhang Guoqing, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China; Pany Yathotou, Vice President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic; Khurelbaatar Chimed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Development of Mongolia; and Mya Tun Oo, Deputy Prime Minister, Union Minister for Transport and Communications of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The Forum was also attended by 12 heads of diplomatic corps.
The key event of the Forum was a plenary session attended by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Vice President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Pany Yathotou. In his speech, the Russian leader touched upon the most important topics of both the further development of the Far Eastern territories and the state of affairs in the global economy and industry.
The Forum events are traditionally held in the form of panel sessions, roundtables, televised debates, business breakfasts, and business dialogues devoted to Russia’s relationships with various countries around the world. The Forum's business programme includes business dialogues with leading partner countries in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as with ASEAN, a key integration organization uniting actively developing nations in Southeast Asia.
Falcon Day International Forum
The 1st Falcon Day International Forum was held on the sidelines of EEF 2023. The main focus of the event was the establishment of a global falcon conservation programme, the World Falcon Initiative. As part of this initiative, centres for the reintroduction and conservation of birds of the falcon (in Kamchatka Territory) and bustard (in the Republic of Kalmykia) families are being established in Russia. The Forum was attended by official representatives and experts from Russia, as well as from countries and territories such as Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE.
During the plenary session of Falcon Day, representatives from six countries – Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the UAE – adopted a framework declaration of intent to conserve the gyrfalcon population. At the 'Far East Street' exhibition, a joint exposition titled 'Falcon House' was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia and Kamchatka Territory. It introduced visitors to the history and evolution of birds of prey and provided the opportunity to see some birds in person.
Exhibition zones are an important part of EEF events. In 2023, the Forum included exhibitions in several formats.
Exhibition of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic and the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation
The multimedia exhibition of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic and the Russian Far East and Arctic Development Corporation was the largest at the Forum. The stand presented the results of the ministry's work to accelerate the development of the Far East, the state support measures for investors in the macro-region, and programmes implemented in response to directives from Russian President Vladimir Putin, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Far Eastern residents.
‘Welcome to the Far East’ exhibition
Every year, federal executive authorities of the Russian Federation act as the exhibitors of this zone. In 2023, the main exhibitors were 6 federal executive authorities: the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Education and Science, Rospotrebnadzor, Rosreestr, Roskadastr, and the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation. These specialized agencies presented their most important areas of work, as well as existing and future projects in the Russian Far East.
At the Forum, the Federal Agency for Fishery organized the Russian Fish House, a chalet-style outdoor exposition. Here, guests and participants of the Forum could not only acquaint themselves with the largest investment projects of fishing and fish-processing companies in the Far East region but also indulge in haute cuisine featuring seafood and fish prepared by chefs from top restaurants in Moscow and Vladivostok.
As part of EEF 2023, a number of thematic areas were organized:
Innovation Space, Governors’ Club, Roscongress Club, Roscongress Urban Hub and VinoGrad.
All 11 regions of the Far East showcased their potential and achievements across various sectors on the quay of Ajax Bay.
There were also two pavilions of the Ministry of Sport, titled 'Sports Arena' and the ‘Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation’ pavilion. The Far East and Arctic Development Corporation had a pavilion named ‘Developing the Far East,’ while JSC ‘Corporation Tourism.RF’ also had its own pavilion. The pavilions of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Russian Railways and Falcon House were also present at the exhibition for the first time.
The exhibition also featured the ‘Soul of Russia. The North’ pavilion, an exposition dedicated to the everyday life and lifestyle of indigenous minorities.
The Free Port Vladivostok (FPV) is a territory where investors enjoy special customs, tax and administrative regulations.
Detailed information can be found in the section About the Free Port.
An Advanced Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) is a part of the territory of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, where a special legal regime has been established for the performance of entrepreneurial activities.
Detailed information can be found in the section Advanced Special Economic Zones.
A Special Administrative Region (SAR) is a territory with flexible tax and currency regimes for companies that have decided to transfer from a foreign to a Russian jurisdiction.
Detailed information can be found in the section A Special Administrative Region.
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