The 13th Russian Economic Forum devoted to the country’s regions’ investment policies as the key factor of Russia’s sustainable economic development began in Yekaterinburg on May 16, 2008. The event was attended by representatives of the Federal Assembly, the Russian Federation Government, officers from the country’s leading ministries, members of foreign delegations, top business executives, and members of Russian scientific community. The forum proceedings were coordinated by the Expert magazine’s editor-in-chief Valeriy Fadeev and head of Troika Dialog Andrei Sharonov.

The agenda of the first day of the forum provided for a number of round table discussions on Sverdlovsk Region’s investment image, seen as an important competitiveness factor, on business education in Russian provinces and creation of management teams, on area re-branding, and on the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Some panel discussions took place as well. The next day was dedicated to a plenary session and three panels.

The Russian Economic Forum is an annual event that has been held since 1996. The forum is normally intermingled with the National Economic Council’s quarterly meetings. The Council aims to look into the country’s economic development problems and come up with proposals for the President, the Government, and the Federal Assembly. The Council’s activity is coordinated by the Secretary, Governor of Sverdlovsk Region Eduard Rossel.