The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is a unique event in the world of business and economics. Over the last decade, the Forum has become a leading global platform for representatives of the business community to meet and discuss the key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets, and the world as a whole. SPIEF is attended by over 12,000 participants from Russia and abroad, including heads of state and government officials, heads of major corporations, and the world’s leading experts in the fields of science, the media, and civil society.

The first SPIEF took place in 1997. Since 2006, it has been held under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation, who has also attended each event.

THE 21ST ST. PETERSBURG INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM, EXPOFORUM 1-3 JUNE 2017

After Italy, India will be the next one of the guest countries at the 2017 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to attend SPIEF 2017.

SPIEF INVESTMENT & BUSINESS EXPO

The SPIEF Investment & Business Expo provides a platform for companies to showcase their promising Russian and international investment projects, B2B solutions, and technologies. The SPIEF Investment & Business Expo also includes a SPIEF presentation zone, where meetings can be held with investors, companies can demonstrate their products and services, and decision makers from global corporations, representatives of government bodies, international experts, and the media can engage in constructive discussions. Extensive cultural and sporting programmes are planned for SPIEF participants.

RESULTS OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY FORUM

SPIEF 2016 was attended by more than 40 high-ranking Russian officials, including ministers and heads of federal agencies and services, and 60 high-ranking foreign dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Italy, President of Kazakhstan, President of Guinea, Prime Minister of Malta, UN Secretary-General, President of the European Commission, Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, Vice President of Uruguay, Vice President of Ghana, Second Vice President of Burundi, and Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission. The Forum’s key event was the plenary session ‘Capitalizing on the New Global Economic Reality’, covered by 86 international television channels, including the Forum’s media partners: CNBC, Bloomberg, CCTV, and CNN.

СASA ITALIA PAVILION

Thanks to the partnership with Conoscere Eurasia Association, SPIEF 2016 hosted a national pavilion for guest country Italy, where Forum participants had an opportunity to learn about the country’s economic and manufacturing potential and meet with heads of major Italian companies and government officials.

The pavilion was visited by Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Arkady Dvorkovich, Advisor to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov, and Italy’s Ambassador to Russia Cesare Maria Ragaglini. The Casa Italia Pavilion hosted numerous meetings between Italian and Russian business leaders. In three days, the Forum made a huge contribution to strengthening ties and trade between the two nations. One important outcome

of the event was the signing of agreements and memoranda on cooperation between Italian and Russian companies.

Should you have any questions regarding participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, or require additional information about packages for partners organizing and attending SPIEF events overseas, please contact:

Press release