President of Russia Vladimir Putin addressed the forum.
Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko took part in the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin addressed the forum participants. He noted that the very fact of such a large forum being held was certainly a positive sign and yet another indication that partner ties and contacts between business people, investors and experts were gradually becoming habitual and normal once again.
“We are also witnessing the same positive global economic trends. Despite the all-out 2020 slump that, according to experts, was the greatest since World War II, one can already safely say that the global economy is returning to normal.”
Budgetary policy has played a key role in the rapid economic recovery, he noted, stressing the importance of joint actions by the Government and the regions of the Russian Federation. He also suggested a number of additional measures to support the economy and Russian people.
Commenting
on his remarks, Valentina Matvienko
noted that the St Petersburg
Forum was a signal to the world that Russia was emerging from the pandemic and returning to normal life.
According to Ms Matvienko, it is very important that President Putin dedicated his address to the domestic agenda. “The President outlined a programme of post-COVID life, including support for the economy, improvement of the business and investment climate, and economic and social development. He said absolutely specific things of importance for people and the business community: the tax burden would not be increased, restrictions would be lifted, preferences would be provided, and conditions for investment growth would be created. This is a good signal to our partners and the foreign business community that was widely represented at the forum.
Valentina Matvienko stressed the consistency of the President’s policy for the development of the regions of the Russian Federation. “He gave a detailed assessment of the investment climate in the regions, including their capabilities, potential and the tools that can and must be used to maintain and accelerate economic and social development in each constituent entity of the Russian Federation.”
For this, not only were infrastructure bonds proposed but also a package of other instruments formed by the Government, she said. “The President emphasised that a harmonious development of each constituent entity was the responsibility not only of the regional teams, but also of the federal centre.” She noted that the important measures included extending the favourable mortgage plan, supporting the labour market, and promoting youth employment.
“Russia is consistently implementing the national development goals,” Valentina Matvienko said. Specifically, she focused on the issue of environmental protection that was also part of the President’s remarks. “The President called for a transition to green technologies: the companies willing to promote green economy will enjoy considerable preferences. This country has drafted a number of new environmental programmes. I am confident that Russia will be one of the leaders of the international environmental and climate agenda.”
The St Petersburg International Economic Forum is one of the biggest events since the start of the pandemic. The forum’s theme this year is “A Collective Reckoning of the New Global Economic Reality.”
Heads of state and government of foreign countries, CEOs of major Russian and international associations, companies and banks, leading experts and politicians attended the discussions at SPIEF both in person and via videoconference.
A large delegation of the Federation Council is taking part in the forum’s events.