Business programme of the Eastern Economic Forum 2019 Has Been Published

The business programme of the Eastern Economic Forum with the key themes and annotations for main sessions has been published on the official website. The Forum will take place in Vladivostok on 4–6 September. As of now, the EEF business programme consists of around 50 business events, including panel discussions, roundtables and business dialogues.

“The business programme of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum reflects principal trends of the global economic development. The agenda of the anniversary Forum includes relevant discussions on key economic, technological and social issues. I am sure that participation of leading experts and diverse formats will allow to work out new solutions for strengthening international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and will facilitate further socio-economic development of the Russian Far East,” noted Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum.

The business programme of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum consists of four themed blocks: ‘New Solutions for Accelerating Economic Growth’, ‘Improving the Business Environment’, ‘The Far East and Asia Pacific: Fostering Collaboration’, and ‘New Solutions for Improving Quality of Life’.

In the ‘New Solutions for Accelerating Economic Growth’ block participants will discuss preferential regimes that are in place in the Far East, as well as new measures that are necessary for economic growth and increasing investment attractiveness of the region. The discussions will focus on such mechanisms as Advanced Special Economic Zones, Free Port of Vladivostok, Far Eastern Hectare programme, and financial and non-financial investor support measures. A number of sessions will be dedicated to the potential of key Far Eastern industries, including high-tech, forestry, fishery and aquaculture, agriculture, as well as development of the resource

base of the Far East and the Arctic. The topics for ‘Increasing the Investment Appeal of the Far East’ session featuring heads of Far Eastern regions include making regional authorities more efficient and fostering a favourable business environment.

The ‘Improving the Business Environment’ block will be dedicated to creating new opportunities for investors in the Far East. Among the key topics are improvement of national jurisdiction and protection of investors’ rights; transformation of the public administration system in the face of digitalization; as well as development of small and medium-sized businesses as a key driver for accelerated economic growth of the Far East. Apart from that, participants will discuss support measures and key projects in such areas as petrochemistry and tourism.

‘The Far East and Asia Pacific: Fostering Collaboration’ theme will be devoted to the economic interaction between Russia and the Asia-Pacific countries. Participants will discuss key integration factors and prospects of business cooperation development. The principal topics include international scientific and technological cooperation; digital transformation of international trade; participation of the Far East in global value chains; infrastructure for data economy; future of the Russian Arctic and transport corridors going through the Far East. As part of the block, a Valdai Club session ‘The Asian Mirror: the Pivot East through the Eyes of Asian Partners’ will be held.

The ‘New Solutions for Improving Quality of Life’ block will focus on social development of the Far East. Participants will discuss such issues as attracting private investment in the social sphere; improving the quality of education in the region; development of modern urban environment and building cities of the future; as well as Far Eastern social innovations. Apart from that, they will touch upon key vectors for healthcare development, including the creation of an international medical cluster in Vladivostok.

The EEF 2019 business programme will also feature five business dialogues, where representatives of the Russian business community will discuss issues of economic cooperation with participants from Japan, India, China, the Republic of Korea and ASEAN.

Detailed information about the Forum business programme can be found on the official website forumvostok.ru/en.

Reference Information

The Eastern Economic Forum

The Eastern Economic Forum is held annually with the objective of facilitating the accelerated development of the Russian Far East’s economy and expanding international cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region in accordance with the Executive order of the President of the Russian Federation No. 250 of 19 May 2015.

The 2019 Eastern Economic Forum will be held in Vladivostok from 4–6 September. Far Eastern Federal University’s (FEFU) campus on Russkiy Ostrov will serve as the forum’s venue.

The Official EEF Site: www.forumvostok.ru/en

The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer of international conventions, exhibitions, and public events.

The Roscongress Foundation was founded in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic potential, promoting its national interests, and strengthening the country’s image. One of the roles of the Foundation is to comprehensively evaluate, analyse, and cover issues on the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative services, provides promotional support for business projects and attracting investment, and helps foster social entrepreneurship and charitable initiatives.

The Foundation’s events draw more than 80,000 participants each year from 203 countries, with more than 10,000 media representatives working on-site at Roscongress’ various venues. The Foundation benefits from analytical and professional expertise provided by 2,500 people working in Russia and abroad. In addition, it works in close cooperation with economic partners from 93 countries worldwide