September 4, 2006
The Sixth Joint Session of the Russian-Arab Business Council
The Sixth Joint Session of the Russian and Arab parts of the RABC took place in Saint-Petersburg on September 4-5, 2006 as had beeb agreed by the RABC and the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab countries.
This large-scale international forum brouhgt together the Russian and Arab business communities, the heads of CCIs for Arab countries, Presidents of top companies as well as businessmen interested in building up and promoting trade interaction.
Led by the RABC Co-chairman, President of SISTEMA Board of Directors, V.Yevtushenkov, the Russian delegation was composed of executives of leading Russian companies, prominent businessmen and entrepreneurs, heads of regional CCIs and representatives of ministries and departments.
The Forum’s agenda featured the following:
- Sessions for lines cooperation
- Sessions for bilateral councils working within the RABC framework
- Bilateral meetings and search for potential business partners
PHOTOGALLERY
ST. PETERSBURG
Over its three-century history the city has shaped itself as a place unique in its splendor and inner harmony. Saint-Petersburg is the center of RF North-Western Federal District which accounts for about 10% of Russia’s total area and population. Eleven NWFD subjects have steadily been holding top positions on the list of the most thriving economic zones. This holds true, primarily, for Saint-Petersburg itself, one of the largest mega cities not only of national but of European proportions, with a steady growth in industrial production, banking and informational services and tourism. The city boasts of immense production capacities and a number of important training centers. The city is hungry for innovation, state-of-the-art technologies and is a key transportation junction.
Throughout its history, Saint-Petersburg has been an emblem of both national and world culture and, according to UN ratings, ranks eighth on the list of world’s most attractive cities. The historical center and the surrounding landscape architectural ensembles have been listed by UNESCO as part of world cultural heritage. Built according to the cutting-edge technologies in European architecture, the “city on-the-Neva” is characterized by an unprecedented integrity and inimitable originality.
Russia’s “Northern Capital” is at the same time an established, scientific and creative center. The economic potential of the city seems to be limitless, and its economy is developing at a very fast pace, due, to no small extent, to international and interregional interaction and expanding business ties with foreign partners.
An interest in international projects located both in the city and in the surrounding region is dictated by a series of objective reasons: the recent years have seen a steady growth of such economic indices as: the volume of industrial production, the volume of investment in authorized capital, commodity turnover, gross regional produce as well as per capita incomes. A favourable investment climate has been created thanks to state guarantees and tax privileges granted to investors; land redemption costs have been reduced , and a series of laws have been passed aimed at streamlining the system of land redemption payment procedures and tariff policy; a new body, the City’s Agency for Industrial Investment has been set up. The potential consumption market in the North-West region totals as many as 20 millions. The added advantages of the city are its strategical geographical location, a diversified transportation network, thriving industry, comparably low labour costs, well-developed communications and a high concentration of institutions for technical and engineering learning.
