On the XXII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

The next XXII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) will take place on May 24–26, 2018.

St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is a leading international economic and business forum held annually in Russia. It was established in 1997. Since 2006 SPIEF has been held under the patronage of the President of the Russian Federation. Over its twenty years of history SPIEF has built a reputation of the most important international political and economic event in Russia. The Forum affirmed its relevance as a universally recognized venue for open and frank exchange of opinions between heads of state and government, international organizations and instiutions, representatives of business elite, academia, civil society and the media, establishing trustworthy business contacts.

There is growing international attention to SPIEF from various parts of the world, including Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa. Representatives of numerous foreign countries and companies traditionally choose the St. Petersburg Forum as an effective tool for promoting their investment projects.

Last year the Forum brought together a record number of participants – over 14,000 business representatives, heads of international organizations, officials, experts, scientists, and media from more than 143 countries. Among them were heads of 700 Russian and 400 foreign companies. Over 900 speakers and moderators took part in the Forum covering a wide range of topics including socio-economic development, energy, transportation, the environment, healthcare, culture, tourism, education, and science. 475 investment agreements and memorandums were concluded for a total amount of $ 30 bln. American business had the largest representation at the SPIEF-2017. In total, 560 people from 140 companies came from the US.

The programme of the Forum included a business roundtable under the theme “Russia–Africa: a Structural Approach To Cooperation In The New Economic Reality”. It got together representatives of African political circles and private sector, including such prominent figures as the then Vice-President of Zimbabwe Phelekezela Mphoko and the Second Vice-President of Burundi Joseph Butore.

Updated information about SPIEF-2018 is available at the official website http://www.forumspb.com/en.

Embassy of Russia in Botswana