Moderator:
Dmitry Stasyulis — President, International Organization of Eurasian Cooperation; Sherpa of Russia, "Civil Twenty"

Speakers:
Alexey Ilyushin — Lawyer, Associate Professor of the Department of Theory and History of State and Law, Administrative Law, Tomsk State University
Roman Kapinos — First Deputy General Director, FSK Region
Pavel Ledovskoy — Head of Tax Practice, "Diktatura Zakona" Bar Association of the City of Moscow
Alexey Oskin — Member of the Board of Directors, Astafiev Terminal
Olga Savina — Managing Partner, Savina Legal
Vitaly Savon — Head of Legal Services, Company Attis Enterprise

Front row participants:
Sergey Avseykov — Executive Director, Eurasian Union of Participants of Rail Freight Transportation
Elena Izyumova — Vice President, Antey

In 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the development of the Far East a national priority. Since that time, preferential regimes with unprecedented conditions have been created in the region, including advanced special economic zones and the Free Port of Vladivostok. It is safe to say that all these support measures have been tested and proven themselves to be a highly effective tool for the development of the Far East and the Arctic. However, there are still many unresolved problems. For the preferential regimes to function effectively, it is crucial to discuss existing problematic issues, come up with proposals for their solution, and hold an open dialogue between the government and business. The residents of preferential regimes will discuss issues in the following sectors: construction; industry and manufacturing; agriculture, fisheries, and food production; subsoil use; tourism; and human resources and innovation.

Permafrost covers 11 million square kilometres, or about 65%, of Russia’s territory. It is a key factor in the natural environment, economic activity, and life of the population in the Arctic zone. The current trends with high rates of global warming, unstable permafrost conditions, and the significant warping and destruction of infrastructure make it essential to take into account the impact of climate, risk management, and the development of new construction technologies, engineering surveys, and design. The timely forecasting, monitoring, and adaptation of economic activity to changes in permafrost could contribute to economic growth and the creation of more jobs. Combatting the consequences of such destruction and cataclysms is a very expensive process and can often be ineffective. What are some of the problems associated with the changing permafrost conditions? How can we avoid catastrophic consequences and ensure the sustainability of infrastructure in the face of climate change, taking into account the need to preserve biodiversity and habitats? What institutional solutions could consolidate the interests of business, the state, and the population in solving such problems?

Moderator:
Sardana Avksentieva — Deputy Head of the Faction, "New People" Political Party

Speakers:
Anatoliy Brushkov — Head, Department of Geocryology, Lomonosov Moscow State University (online)
Vladimir Burovtsev — Rector, Far Eastern State Transport University
Oleg Zhdaneev — Head, Center of Competence for Technological Development of the Fuel and Energy Complex under the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Zheleznyak — Director, Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science "P.I. Melnikov Permafrost Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences"
Mikhail Kuznetsov — Director, Eastern State Planning Center (FANU Vostokgosplan)
Mikhail Pogodaev — Deputy Minister for Arctic Development and Northern Affairs of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia); Special Representative of the Russian Chairmanship in the Arctic Council on Indigenous Peoples Issues and Regional Cooperation
Dmitry Pristanskov — State Secretary – Vice President, Norilsk Nickel
Pavel Simigin — Member of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federationon for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

A comfortable and cosy urban environment must take into account the needs of various groups of the population: pedestrians, cyclists, people with disabilities, parents with strollers, and children with balance bikes. It is crucial to find a balance between the functional capabilities and aesthetics of the urban environment. On the one hand, it is essential to create convenient conditions for the movement and accommodation of city residents and ensure the safety and accessibility of municipal facilities and services. On the other hand, it is equally important to preserve and develop urban culture and create an attractive urban environment for life and leisure, which helps citizens maintain their mental health and increases their satisfaction with life in the city. This problem is being solved with the help of developers who are equipping the spaces around new residential complexes with all the essential amenities, architects who offer new solutions, and designers who are creating new points of attraction. Municipalities play a key role in harmonizing the activities of all parties in order to ensure a systemic approach to creating a pleasant living environment. What are the priorities for improvements to the municipalities of the Far Eastern Federal District? How can green areas and waterways be combined as part of these improvements, taking into account the uniqueness of each locality and the demands of residents? How can we build a strategy for the safety of public spaces in cities? What indirect social effects do municipal improvement projects create?

Moderator:
Alexander Panin — Director of the Center for Geodemography and Spatial Development, Lomonosov Moscow State University

Speakers:
Mariya Avilova — First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Khabarovsk Krai
Alexey Belik — Prime Minister of Sakhalin Region
Evgeniy Grachev — Deputy Head of the Office of the President of the Russian Federation for Domestic Policy
Irina Guseva — Co-chairman, All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government; Member of the Presidium of the Council under the President of the Russian Federation for the Development of Local Self-Government
Vyacheslav Kvon — Head of Artemovsky Urban Okrug
Vladislav Loginov — Mayor of Krasnoyarsk
Irina Makieva — Chief Managing Partner for Urban Development, VEB.RF
Vladimir Malyushitskiy — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Primorsky Krai
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation
Anton Finogenov — Director of Urban Environment Development, DOM.RF
Konstantin Shestakov — Head of the City of Vladivostok

The Far Eastern Hectare state programme is a unique tool for citizens to acquire land for free. Any Russian citizen can register a land plot without even leaving the house. Since the programme was launched, more than 137,000 people have received land plots. 52% of the programme participants have built houses on their land, while 29% of the hectares are used for agricultural purposes. Russians are using the land plots to develop various projects in tourism, recreation, and entrepreneurship, such as ecological parks, greenhouses, cheese factories, horse stables, service stations, cafes, and fish farms. How are the programme participants implementing projects on their hectares? What do people need when building a house or farm on a hectare? How can the hectares be used to build villages?

Moderator:
Alexey Kharnas — Chief Editor, Expert

Speakers:
Elizaveta Ageeva — Participant of the Far Eastern Hectare Program
Alexey Butovetskiy — Secretary of State – Deputy Head, The Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr)
Sergey Vinokurov — Head of the Municipal District "Vilyuisky Ulus (District)" of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Alexander Mylnikov — Director General, Development Corporation of Kamchatka
Vladimir Novikov — Deputy, Member of the Committee on the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Grigoriy Smolyak — Director of the Social Development Department of the Far East and the Arctic, Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Front row participants:
Elena Bakumenko — Director of Primorsky Regional Branch, Russian Agricultural Bank
Vadim Gubenko — Participant of the Far Eastern Hectare Program
Dmitry Melekhov — Participant of the Far Eastern Hectare Program
Natalia Mokeeva — Participant of the Far Eastern Hectare Program
Elena Pakhomova — Participant of the Far Eastern Hectare Program

The Far East is a region blessed with an abundance of natural resources. It is home to enormous timber and water reserves and boasts incredible biodiversity. It is home to red-list flora and fauna like the Amur tiger and leopard, wild ginseng, and matsutake mushroom. The Far East is rich in minerals, with roughly one third of the country’s coal reserves, 98% of diamonds, 80% of tin, 90% of boron, 50% of gold and more. Russian President Vladimir Putin has tasked the nation with achieving technological sovereignty, a thing that is directly related to sovereignty over the strategic raw materials that provide for the needs of the domestic economy. To effectively manage the natural resources and biodiversity of the Far East, we must adopt and integrate appropriate measures to protect rare and endangered species and use natural resources sustainably. How can we preserve and add to the unique natural heritage of the Far East? How can we ensure the region’s resources are used rationally? What plans exist for geological exploration? What factors guarantee ecological well-being?

Moderator:
Artem Yamshchikov — Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel

Speakers:
Victor Bardyuk — Director, Land of the Leopard
Alexander Kozlov — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Andrey Nikipelov — Deputy General Director for Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Solutions, State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom
Aisen Nikolaev — Head of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Georgy Smirnov — General Director, Nordgold Management
Alexey Tsydenov — Head of the Republic of Buryatia
Yuliya Shabala — Deputy General Director for Sustainable Development and Corporate Affairs, Udokan Copper

Russia has set the goal of increasing the share of the tourism industry in GDP to 5% and the number of trips around the country with hotel accommodation to 140 million people over the next six years. However, this goal cannot be achieved without state support. Government bodies need to be involved in building infrastructure, providing preferential financing for tourism projects, developing the aviation industry, improving transport accessibility, training personnel, and creating compensation mechanisms to reduce costs for both consumers of tourism products as well as the investors that are building infrastructure. In 2023, the tourist flow to the Far East increased by almost a third compared with the previous year and amounted to more than 6 million tourists. The tourism growth rate in the Far Eastern Federal District exceeded the Russian average by almost four times. However, the number of trips to the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District still remains low on a national scale and accounts for slightly less than 5% of the total trips taken domestically. Almost 300 investment projects with state support of more than RUB 180 billion are being implemented in the tourism sector of the Far East to develop ski resorts, hotels, SPA centres, recreation centres, and glamping sites. New initiatives, such as the ‘Paths of the Far East’ project, are being implemented at the federal level. The Tourism and Hospitality Industry national project is under way, and new large resorts are being built in Primorye, Kamchatka, and Baikal. Is this Far Eastern tourism infrastructure ready to welcome new guest? What state support measures for the development of the industry are crucial today? To what extent do federal and regional support measures meet the industry’s needs? What new tools are needed right now?

Moderator:
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic

Speakers:
—
Daria Bychkova — Director, Bureau "Chekharda"
Dmitry Vakhrukov — Deputy Minister Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Ivakhnenko — Director of Commercial Strategy and Sales Proposition Development PRO, Le Monlid
Sholban Kara-ool — Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Alexey Karakhan — Traveler
Dashi Namdakov — Founder, Fund for the Promotion of Culture and Art named after Dashinima Namdakov
Aleksandr Tertychnyy — General Director, Anterra

The Russian Far East has created unprecedented conditions for economic development, which have facilitated the implementation of more than 2,850 investment projects worth some RUB 8.7 trillion. Over the past decade, industrial production has grown by 50%, while coal mining has increased by three-fold, and gold output and housing commissioning has doubled over the past five years. However, no major investments have been made in building new generation facilities to cover the growing demand for electric power. The panel discussion participants will consider the main approaches to meeting the Far East economy’s growing needs for electric power and capacity in the period until 2050. What are the further prospects for the development of the Far East economy for the period until 2050? What problems in the electric power industry do regions face when implementing investment projects? What future scenarios exist for meeting the demand for electric power and capacity until 2050? What kind of potential and prospects does the macro-region have in terms of developing low-carbon generation?

Moderator:
Sergey Tsivilev — Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation

Speakers:
Gadzhimagomed Guseynov — First Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Igor Levitin — Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation; Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cooperation in the Field of Transport
Alexey Likhachev — Director General, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM
Aisen Nikolaev — Head of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Fedor Opadchy — Chairman of the Board, System Operator of the United Power System
Andrey Ryumin — General Director, Chairman of the Management Board, Rosseti
Viktor Khmarin — Chairman of the Management Board, General Director, RusHydro

Front row participants:
Dmitry Demeshin — Acting Governor of the Khabarovsk Territory
Alexey Zhikharev — Director, Russia Renewable Energy Development Association; Director, ENSOLVE
Valery Kazikayev — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Udokan Copper
Igor Kobzev — Governor of Irkutsk Region
Sergey Nosov — Governor of Magadan Region
Alexander Osipov — Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory
Vladimir Tupikin — Director for Energy and Resources Support, SIBUR; Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Association "Community of Energy Consumers"
Alexey Tsydenov — Head of the Republic of Buryatia

SMEs contribute to the growth, diversification and modernization of the economy. The overwhelming majority (over 96%) of SMEs in the Far Eastern Federal District are micro-enterprises. These enterprises are in particular need of government support, especially when they first start their activities. What development prospects for SMEs exist in the Far Eastern Federal District? What additional support measures are needed for small businesses? What can be done to make loans more readily available for small businesses? What support measures could help increase the number of small entrepreneurs and encourage active and enterprising families to start their own businesses? What adjustments should be made to existing support measures for people in Far Eastern Federal District regions where preferential regimes are in place (including preferences on insurance premiums for SMEs)? How can the burden on SMEs be reduced in terms of providing financial support for state guarantees and workers’ compensation (regional coefficient, percentage increase in wages)?

Moderator:
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic

Speakers:
Irina Zhimerina — Senior Vice President, Head of Small Business Unit, Promsvyazbank
Aleksandr Isayevich — General Director – Chairman of the Management Board, Russian Small and Medium Business Corporation
Alexander Kalinin — President, All‑Russian Non‑Governmental Organization of Small and Medium‑Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA
Ivan Lobanov — Rector, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics
Alexey Murzenok — Director for International Partnership Programmes, Russian Export Center
Mikhail Ryzhenkov — Deputy Managing Director, Avito
Marina Fytova — Executive Director, Lemana PRO
Evgeny Etin — Director for Government Relations, Wildberries

Front row participant:
Vladimir Novikov — Deputy, Member of the Committee on the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

In recent years, sustainable development as well as environmental and social responsibility have become an integral part of the agenda of governments and business. Modern business not only involves effectively structured processes, but also requires companies to pay close attention to their employees and their families, the creation of comfortable and decent working conditions, and the implementation of social and charitable projects. In Russia, many companies are already actively taking responsibility for the future of the country, region, or city in which they work, as well as their workforce. They are investing in achieving national goals and implementing projects in education, healthcare, and other areas that are highly sensitive for the country’s citizens. In order to increase the number of initiatives that produce real benefits for people, the state is ready to support responsible entrepreneurs. To this end, a number of regions have already adopted laws to support responsible business based on the Entrepreneurs Business Reputation Index. What privileges and benefits from the government can responsible entrepreneurs count on? What are the regional authorities offering today as motivation for responsible business? What role does the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry play in developing an agenda of responsible business in Russia?

Moderator:
Nikita Anisimov — Rector, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Speakers:
Sergey Katyrin — President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
Ekaterina Kuzmina — Vice President, Head of Sustainable Development Department, Promsvyazbank
Yury Chayka — Executive Director, Association of Interregional Socio-Economic Cooperation "Central Federal District"
Svetlana Chupsheva — General Director, Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects (online)
Timur Shinaliev — Deputy Head, Federal Tax Service of Russia
Igor Shchegolev — Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District

Front row participants:
Mikhail Srodnykh — General Director, SKB Kontur
Boris Stupnitskiy — Chairman, Union of the Chamber of Trade and Industry for Primorye Territory

The health of society and its social development are major priorities for the Russian government, whose systemic approach to this issue is based on preserving the country’s population, improving people’s health, and enhancing their well-being. The domestic fisheries industry is of strategic importance to the country's economy: from ensuring food security to tax payments to treasuries at all levels. In particular, the socioeconomic well-being and development of coastal regions is centred around the salmon fishing season and the fisheries industry as a whole. The industry provides education, jobs and professional development, healthy and tasty food for the health of the nation, and active recreation for fishing enthusiasts. Starting from 1 September 2024, fisheries industry enterprises will be required to implement projects that aim to develop social, transport, and engineering infrastructure with an emphasis on the rural areas of the regions. What prospects exist for the development of the industrial sector? What benefits does industry provide to society as a whole and to humans in particular? What are the foundations of the socioeconomic development of coastal regions? What is business’s responsibility in this regard? What is the best way to train specialists and create decent working conditions for fishing and fish production facilities?

Moderator:
Maria Kudryavtseva — Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel

Speakers:
Andrey Grechkin — General Director, Dalreftrans
Irina Zhachkina — Member of the Board, First Deputy Chairman of the Board, Russian Agricultural Bank
German Zverev — President, All-Russian Association of Fisheries Enterprises, Entrepreneurs and Exporters
Savely Karpukhin — General Director, Russian Fishery Company
Aleksei Osintsev — President, Association of Fishing Fleet Shipowners
Vladimir Solodov — Governor of Kamchatka Territory
Sergey Tarusov — Chairman, Lenin Collective Farm Fishery
Ilya Shestakov — Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo)
Irina Yarovaya — Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

See the volcanoes of Kamchatka, visit the Buryat shore of Lake Baikal, dive into one of the picturesque bays of Primorye, fall asleep under the northern lights in Chukotka, listen to the music of whales in Khabarovsk, and experience things that many Russians have never even experienced. The natural beauty of the Far East offers its guests vivid, unforgettable adventures. The ‘Far East – Land of Adventures’ competition is being held in Russia for the second straight year so that even more Russians can get to know 40% of their country. What makes the regions of the Far East attractive to active travellers? What is the best way to effectively promote unique regional tourism products? How can we make hiking trips even more interesting for families and young people?

Moderator:
Vadim Mamontov — Founder, General Director, RussiaDiscovery

Speakers:
Leonid Agafonov — Member, Public Council Under the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East; Managing Director, EastRussia
Anton Basansky — Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Bogdan Bulychev — Traveler, Blogger
Artem Lazarev — Minister of Tourism of the Sakhalin Region
Ian Popov — Winner of the 1st Season of the Competition “Far East - Land of Adventures” in the “Walking Travel” Category
Anna Starkova — Director for Special Projects, RWB
Nikita Sukhanov — Winner of the 1st Season of the Competition “Far East – Land of Adventures” in the Category "Water Travel"
Nikolay Tabashnikov — Member of the Russian Television Academy
Aleksandr Tertychnyy — General Director, Anterra
Anton Yaremchuk — Deputy Governor of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug

In 2022, the Government of the Russian Federation imposed restrictions on unscheduled control and supervision measures up to the end of 2024, as well as scheduled ones until 2030. Scheduled control and supervision measures will not be conducted with respect to PDA and FPV residents from 2024 onwards. Systematic work over the last few years has managed to lighten the burden on entrepreneurs. Since 2019, the number of audits has been reduced four-fold, from 1.5 million to 350 thousand in 2023. Abolition of 140 thousand requirements has allowed businesses in Russia to save RUB 200 billion a year, and audit moratoria – up to RUB 100 billion. Even so, despite the measures introduced, the number of preventive ones has risen substantially and there are spheres where control optimization is needed, particularly with respect to customs and other types of control at entry points. Against the background of a general fall in the number of audits of residents, that of enquiries and the administrative burden are increasing not only on businesses but also government agencies and development institutions. Optimization of control and supervision creates additional potential for developing the economy. For instance, simplification of customs control administrative procedures can increase the capacity of land entry points and boost customs payments into the Treasury by RUB 0.5 billion. How should control and supervision measures be re-tuned to ensure maximum business efficiency? How can a risk-orientated approach to control and supervision activities be ensured?

Moderator:
Dmitry Demeshin — Acting Governor of the Khabarovsk Territory

Speakers:
Andrey Bely — Acting Head, Interregional Inspectorate of the Federal Tax Service in the Far Eastern Federal District
Andrey Veretennikov — Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Entrepreneurs in the Khabarovsk Territory
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic
Alexander Dyomin — Secretary of State – Deputy Head, Federal Service for Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Supervision (Rostekhnadzor)
Jiangchao Ren — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Legendagro Holding
Nikolay Zapryagaev — General Director, Corporation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Vladimir Ivin — Deputy Head, Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Kuznetsov — Director, Eastern State Planning Center (FANU Vostokgosplan)
Igor Pukhov — Commercial Director, Global Ports Management Company
Alexey Khersontsev — State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation (online)

Front row participant:
Anna Shabarova — Director of Advanced Engineering School, Pacific State University

In June 2024, the results of the National Investment Climate Rating of the Regions of the Russian Federation were presented for the 11th time at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Since its inception, the national rating has proven to be effective in assessing the efforts taken by the authorities at all levels to improve the business environment, and its results create competition in the battle for investment at the regional level. Starting from this year, the national rating also assesses the effectiveness of the introduction of the Regional Investment Standard, a key federal project that aims to create favourable conditions for doing business in the regions. Today, the ability to use new effective tools that help solve existing and future problems affecting the investment development of the country’s regions is becoming a systemic advantage. As such, the actions taken by regional teams are taking on much greater importance, while the speed at which the regions exchange best management practices is becoming one of the most important factors in the country’s economic growth and improved well-being as a whole. Which regions of the Far Eastern Federal District have improved their rankings in the national rating, and what practices have they applied to achieve this? What conditions must all regions meet to attract investment? Which industries appear to be the most attractive in terms of investment? Which regions need to focus on developing these industries?

Moderator:
Andrey Sokolov — Deputy Director General, Russian News Agency TASS

Speakers:
Alexander Ivlev — Co-Chairman of the Executive Committee, Foreign Investment Advisory Council (FIAC); Advisor, B1 Group
Murat Kerefov — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Valery Limarenko — Governor of Sakhalin Region
Albert Liholet — Director General, Global Ports Management Company
Alexey Repik — Chairman, Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia) (online)
Yakov Sergienko — General Director, Yakov & Partners
Taras Skvortsov — Senior Vice-President, Head of Finance Block, Sberbank
Svetlana Chupsheva — General Director, Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects (online)
Alexander Shokhin — President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (online)

The agriculture industry of the Far East has vast potential for growth. The development of retail chains in the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District is increasing demand for the production of fresh products, while the region’s proximity to the Chinese market, with its population of around 90 million people in three provinces bordering the Far Eastern Federal District, is stimulating the development of export-oriented businesses. However, crop yield and farm animal productivity in the Far Eastern Federal District are 20–30% lower than the national average, while the region’s self-sufficiency in vegetables, dairy, and meat products ranged from 42 to 54% in 2023. There are also preconditions in place to increase the output of all types of products due to the potential for using agricultural land for commercial purposes by modernizing land reclamation. This will create an additional raw material base to increase the processing of oilseeds and grain crops, as well as feed production, which is crucial for the sustainable development of dairy cattle, beef cattle, and poultry farming. The Far East is capable of providing itself with food. What market niches are the most promising in the Far East? How can we improve the efficiency of agribusiness in the Far Eastern Federal District? Could the breeding of new varieties serve as a foundation for efficient crop production? Is the local infrastructure ready for such growth in output? How can artificial intelligence help in this regard?

Moderator:
Irina Zhachkina — Member of the Board, First Deputy Chairman of the Board, Russian Agricultural Bank

Speakers:
Dmitry Antonov — Senior Vice President, Resurs Group of Agricultural Enterprises; Chairman of the Committee on the Agro-Industrial Complex, Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia)
Pavel Zarkov — Director of Investments and Development, Sodrugestvo Management Company
Igor Moskovtsev — Chief Executive Officer, Korenovskiy Milk Processing Factory
Vasily Pushkin — Government Relations Directorи, X5 Group
Andrey Razin — Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation
Alexander Tarasov — Deputy General Director for Corporate Development, Rusagro
Denis Tsesarenko — General Director, Co-Founder, Sporos
Anatoly Shirokov — Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Government and Northern Affairs of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Front row participant:
Sergey Gomanyuk — Director, Vektor

The recent sanctions, embargoes, and price ceilings that have been imposed on Russia have not ultimately hindered oil exports from the country. The Far East’s rapidly developing oil and gas industry has already turned Russia into a major player on the Asia-Pacific market and could attract an additional USD 40 billion in investment by 2030. The Far East is also the main market for LNG sales and there are plans to increase production to 120–140 million tonnes per year by 2035. In addition, the Eastern Gas Programme has provided major incentives to develop the production of transportable energy-intensive products with high levels of processing. More so than ever before, companies are becoming involved in natural gas conversion projects and the construction of transport and social infrastructure, transshipment hubs, and oil and gas fleets. However, the Far East still has much more potential. Only 35% of the region’s subsoil has been explored, but the goal is to increase this figure to 70% by 2030. What opportunities exist to increase the level of geological exploration and start producing even more amidst the current sanctions? What support measures are needed to export oil and gas in forms other than raw materials? Can all technology imports be phased out? Have we lost sight of ensuring that production is eco-friendly or have we forgotten about the environmental impact in the rush to be the first?

Moderator:
Daria Kozlova — Head of Analytical, Russian Energy Agency of the Russian Federation

Speakers:
Roman Berdnikov — First Deputy General Director, Member of the Management Board, RusHydro
Darya Borisova — Member of the Board – Managing Director for Development and Innovations, SIBUR
Vitaly Korolev — Deputy Head, Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation
Andrey Kutepov — Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Vitaly Markelov — Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, Member of the Board of Directors, Gazprom
Evgeny Petrov — Head, Federal Agency for Subsoil Use
Pavel Sorokin — First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation (online)

Front row participant:
Maksim Tereshchenko — Minister of Industry and Geology of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Khasansky District is the southernmost territory in the Russian Far East, and is full of untapped potential. It is here – where the Russian coast of the East Sea is less than 70 km from the border with China, and where the Primorye-2 international transport corridor passes through road, rail and sea checkpoints – that a project to create a federal year-round seaside resort that will host half a million tourists per year is being developed. And it is here where the economy is harmoniously intertwined with nature, with the region’s conservation areas being home to leopards, marine mammals and rare aquatic organisms.

Moderator:
Ilya Doronov — Managing Director, RBC

Speakers:
Dmitry Alexeev — General Director, DNS Group
Vladimir Aptekarev — Deputy General Director for Shipbuilding, Floating Energy and Marine Engineering, Atomenergomash
Alexander Galushka — Vice President, Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation
Oleg Kozhemyako — Governor of Primorsky Territory (video message)
Anton Medvedev — Senior Vice President, Deputy Chairman of the Board, DOM.RF Bank
Anastasiya Onufrienko — General Director, ООО «Курорты Приморья»
Sergey Sukhanov — General Director, Corporation Tourism.RF
Mikhail Chachin — Vice President, Sberbank

In 2018, a special administrative region (SAR) was created on Russky Island in the Primorsky Territory to repatriate capital and protect businesses against sanctions. Today, more than 100 companies with assets of more than RUB 5 billion are members of the SAR. In 2023, there was a record influx of new members (+50 companies), which has created a need for modern office space. What impact are the SAR members having on the region’s development? What legislative changes have been or will be adopted so that businesses can comfortably return to Russia? What risks do companies face in their re-domiciliation, and what alternatives are there to this process? Is it comfortable for companies to work in the SAR?

Moderator:
Marina Belyakova — Partner, Head of the Tax Services Group for Fuel and Energy Companies in Russia, B1 Group

Speakers:
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic
Alexey Vostokov — Chief Executive Officer, Polyus
Sergey Gavrilov — Сhairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Property, Land and Property Relations
Alexey Malinovskiy — Chairman of the Board of Directors, TKS Holding
Aleksandr Safonov — Director of the Development and Tourism Projects Department, Interros
Nikolay Stetsko — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Primorsky Territory
Ilya Torosov — First Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

The Russian timber industry experienced a major crisis from 2022 to 2023 that led to a reduction in production and exports. Nevertheless, positive changes are currently being seen in production volumes, particularly in monetary terms. However, there are still negative trends in timber exports, which means new strategies and focuses for development need to be found. Given the limited demand for timber outside of Russia, the main source of sales is the domestic market, which consumes the final products of the timber industry. Wooden housing construction, including multi-story wooden buildings, is crucial in this regard, since it is regarded as a promising trend that can not only support the industry, but also meet the need for high-quality and eco-friendly housing within the country. What are the current prospects for increasing wooden housing construction in terms of the development of territories in Russia’s Far East? This region has significant potential for the development of the timber industry and could also become a key testing ground for new wooden housing construction projects. In addition, the development of this industry should be viewed in conjunction with other related sectors, such as transport and communication infrastructure, furniture production, and other segments associated with the final consumption of timber products. Such integration will create a holistic ecosystem that not only contributes to economic growth, but to the sustainable development of regions as well. What is the current situation in the industry? How can we increase demand for wooden housing products? What measures are needed to launch the industrial production of wooden housing kits?

Moderator:
Alexey Zbarsky — Editor-in-Chief, EastRussia

Speakers:
Andrey Artamonov — General Director, DNS Development
Pavel Bilibin — Partner, Strategy Partners; Vice President, Union of Timber Manufacturers and Exporters of Russia (online)
Oleg Bocharov — Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Nikolay Ivanov — Vice-President for the Implementation of State Programmes, Sustainable Development and Forest Policy, Segezha Group
Janna Kira — President, Glamping Support Association (online)
Evgeniy Makarenko — General Director, Author's Wooden Houses (online)
Alla Sbitneva — Coordinator, Women in Light Industry Project, Council of the Eurasian Women’s Forum; Project Director, Sberbank
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation
Elena Stepanova — Director of Strategic Development, PIK-Specialized Homebuilder
Kerim Sungurov — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Khabarovsky Krai on Construction Issues
Artur Khafizov — Member of the Board, Wooden House Construction Association

Front row participant:
Alexander Bondar — Director of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technical Activities, Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergency Situations and Disaster Relief

Government policy has been tasked with unlocking the full industrial potential of the Far East and creating a system of long-term incentives for industrial development. As the state pays more and more attention to economic development, it ensures the creation of the conditions necessary to support investment projects and build large industrial enterprises. These measures continue to benefit investors, and it is clear that Far East investment development reserves have yet to be exhausted. What measures are there to support investment activity in the Far East, create new production facilities, and modernize existing ones? What changes need to be made to the measures industry already enjoys and what new support measures should be developed? What is the potential for industrial development in the Far East? What plans do enterprises have to further develop and modernize? On what level are industrial enterprises already working together? What is needed to take industrial production in the Far East to the next level?

Moderator:
Nikolay Zapryagaev — General Director, Corporation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Speakers:
Alexey Zelentsov — Deputy General Director, Chief Geologist, Yakut Fuel and Energy Company (online)
Aleksey Kozlov — Member of the Management Board, Managing Director, SIBUR
Ivan Kulikov — Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Evgeny Petrov — Head, Federal Agency for Subsoil Use
Alexander Tarasov — Deputy General Director for Corporate Development, Rusagro
Georgy Fotin — General Director, Baimskaya Management LLC
Yuliya Shabala — Deputy General Director for Sustainable Development and Corporate Affairs, Udokan Copper

The development of the unmanned aircraft industry is the subject of much attention today. Russia has approved the Development Strategy for Unmanned Aviation Until 2030 and further to 2035. The “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” national project was approved alongside the Strategy and launched this past January. The vast distances between settlements in the Russian Far East and Arctic mean that the development of unmanned aircraft is a high-demand, cost-effective and strategically important area. It is important to ensure the creation and development of a sustainable and competitive industry for the development, production and operation of unmanned aircraft systems in the region. What are the most pressing issues in the development of the unmanned aircraft industry in the Russian Far East and Arctic today? How effective are the support measures that are currently available? What is needed to build an electronics and components base? What about issues of introducing advanced technologies, training qualified professionals, etc.?

Moderator:
Vyacheslav Alenkov — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Sakhalin Region

Speakers:
Andrey Anisimov — General Director, OKB-25
Alexey Varyatchenko — General Director, BAS; Director of Digital Asset Management, GTLK (online)
Victor Gritsayenko — Director General, NP Center "Wings of Sakhalin"
Evgeniy Dudorov — Executive Director, Androidnaya Tekhnika; Chairman of the Board, Consortium of Robotics and Intelligent Control Systems
Alexander Krylov —
Aleksey Raikevich — General Director, GLONASS
Anatoly Semenov — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Alexey Serdyuk — Head of the Department of Unmanned Systems and Robotics, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Fedor Chemashkin — Technical Director of Digital, Yakov & Partners

Front row participant:
Alexander Bondar — Director of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technical Activities, Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergency Situations and Disaster Relief

One of the main tasks today is to create international priority development areas (IPDAs). IPDAs can create new advantages for Russia and its foreign economic partners in the global competition for direct investment and trade flows. The first international priority development area, involving Russia, China, Belarus and other friendly nations, may appear in Primorye – the centre of Asia-Pacific Russia at the intersection of international transport corridors. What model of preferential regimes would work best for IPDAs in terms of attracting foreign investments ahead of the competition? How can IPDAs be leveraged to ensure an exponential increase in mutual trade between Russia and friendly countries? What conditions need to be created using IPDAs to redirect Chinese freight from the Port of Dalian to the ports of the Russian Far East?

Moderator:
Alexander Galushka — Vice President, Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation

Speakers:
Ivan Abramov — First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic
Kong Dan — Chairman, CITIC Foundation for Reform and Development Studies (online)
Alexander Krutikov — General Director, Crystal of Growth Foundation
Dmitry Mezentsev — State Secretary, Standing Committee of the Union State
Alexander Osipov — Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory
Alexander Rogozhnik — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Russian Federation
Nikolay Stetsko — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Primorsky Territory

The mechanism for the integrated development of territories is one of the most promising tools for urban development and the thorough renovation of urban spaces. However, the construction industry has encountered numerous challenges along this path of growth, including problems with infrastructure, financing, labour, and, most importantly, land. What prospects exist for using federal land plots, and what are some of the difficulties with incorporating them into the stream of commerce? Is there potential to effectively use unallocated land in partnership with regions and large businesses in the future? What experience do the Far Eastern Federal District and developers have in this regard? What are the new horizons for housing construction and how will the new Infrastructure for Life national project affect the industry?

Moderator:
Anton Finogenov — Director of Urban Environment Development, DOM.RF

Speakers:
Alexey Almazov — Managing Partner for the Regions Segment, FSK Group of Companies
Gaidukov Alexander — Head, "Strana Development" Group of Companies
Anton Glushkov — President, NOSTROI National Association of Builders
Dmitry Demeshin — Acting Governor of the Khabarovsk Territory
Veronika Minina — Vice-Rector, National Research University Higher School of Economics
Vitaly Mutko — Chief Executive Officer, DOM.RF
Aleksey Pavlov — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for State Property Management
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation
Elena Stepanova — Director of Strategic Development, PIK-Specialized Homebuilder

Front row participants:
Konstantin Abramov — General Director, All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center Foundation (VTsIOM); Chairman, Public Council under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
Dmitry Ryabov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, DARS
Maxim Shirokov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Rosvodokanal

The socioeconomic development of the Far East remains a priority of in Russia’s state policy and aims to retain and increase human capital, among other things. The availability and affordability of housing plays a special role in programmes to attract people to the macro-region and serves as an essential precondition for establishing a decent living environment and high quality of life. Mortgage lending is one of the main tools for improving housing conditions among residents of the Far East. The region has a targeted state-supported programme called Far Eastern Mortgage, and loans are being issued at a record low rate of two percent per annum. What goals has it already helped to achieve? How can the programme influence improvements in the demographic situation and support for the birth rate and large families?

Moderator:
Gasan Gasanbalayev — Executive Director for Social Development, Corporation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Speakers:
Alexander Aksakov — Director of Infrastructure Bonds Division, DOM.RF
Andrey Artamonov — General Director, DNS Development
Olga Batalina — First Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
Tatyana Butskaya — First Deputy Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Family Protection, Issues of Paternity, Maternity and Childhood
Kirill Bychkov — Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Georgiy Gorshkov — Deputy President - Chairman of the Board, VTB Bank
Elvira Nurgalieva — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Natalya Trunova — Auditor, Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation

Russia’s national development goals for the period until 2030 require a thorough rethinking of regional socioeconomic strategies. The comprehensive transformation of the Far East needs to take place in close partnership between the government, banks, and business. This will help to achieve key economic development indicators and create attractive commercial conditions for private investors and commercial banks. What is the best way to make the union of the government, banks, and entrepreneurs equitable and mutually beneficial? Which support instruments have proven their effectiveness, and which ones need to be modernized? What is the role of development institutions and banks in stimulating investment activity? What role can new infrastructure projects play in developing the economy and improving the quality of life in the Far East?

Moderator:
Mikhail Khomich — Chief Managing Director, Chief Strategist, VEB.RF; Special Projects Director, Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects (ASI)

Speakers:
Dmitry Alexeev — General Director, DNS Group
Ivan Molchanov —
Maksim Oreshkin — Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Igor Shuvalov — Chairman, VEB.RF

Russia created unique preferential regimes in the Kuril Islands in 2022. Since then, the 24 companies that have become residents of these regimes have invested over RUB 5 billion and created more than 400 jobs. Three companies have implemented projects, including a surfing camp, glamping site, and a hotel. Tourism and fish processing are the main business activities on the Kuril Islands. There are around 20 hotels on the islands (Iturup Island, Kunashir, and Shikotan), which received more than 50,000 tourists in 2023. Ecological and cruise tourism are among the most promising areas for further development. To attract new investors to the Kuril Islands, there are two preferential regimes (the Kurils Advanced Special Economic Zone and the Kuril Islands of the Russian Federation), but they need to be improved by lifting restrictions in the Russian Tax Code and expanding the boundaries of the former. How can we increase the investment appeal of the Kuril Islands? What needs to be done at the legislative level to achieve this? What is the best way to attract foreign investors in the current conditions?

Moderator:
Bogdan Bulychev — Traveler, Blogger

Speakers:
Igor Bukharov — President, Federation of Restaurateurs & Hoteliers of Russia; Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality, Institute of Industry Management, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)
Herman Vasyukhnik — General Director, Utari
Kirill Kamenev — Deputy General Director for Investment Attraction, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation
Janna Kira — President, Glamping Support Association
Denis Kravchenko — Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Economic Policy
Nataliya Pakholkova — First Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Sakhalin Region

Scuba diving is a major industry that affects such sectors as sports, tourism, hydroelectric engineering, scientific research, military and patriotic education, rehabilitation activities, ecology, and environmental protection. The creation of a powerful brand-new underwater federation will give a significant boost to the development of all of these sectors. Russia is a country with an enormous coastline, and the development of amateur scuba diving could directly enhance the country’s defence capabilities. What exactly is needed to create a strong underwater federation? Why is it crucial to make diving more popular among children? How could the development of scuba diving help increase the country’s defence capabilities? What is needed to develop tourist diving in Russia’s coastal regions? Why is it so important to revive underwater sports?

Moderator:
Olga Derzheruk — Development Director, Primorsky Center for Underwater Research

Speakers:
Yuri Belsky — Director and Founder, National Dive League
Igor Bespalov — Member of the Public Chamber of the Primorsky Territory; Chairman of the Commission on Human Development
Olga Dimitrevich — Project Manager, “International Ice Games”
Yan Ershov — Project Manager, National Dive League
Arseny Krepsky — First Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Primorsky Krai
Evgenia Makeeva — Development Director, Regional Center for Audit and Consulting
Evgeniy Polukhin — Director, Primorsky Underwater Research Center
Roman Yukin — Winner of the International Ice Orienteering Competition 2024