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Aiming at the New Millenium
I would like, — the scientist told us, — to start from afar, from the global processes that are now taking place in the entire world. We are not only rapidly approaching the turn of the new century but also the turn of the new millenium. It is this perspective that the economic problems, now being discussed and solved in the world, are aimed at. During the next few years, the world economic structure is to be reconstructed. Experts suppose that five, six or seven centers of geopolitical and geoeconomic attraction will be created in North America, Western Europe, South-East Asia, China. Where will Russia be? Will it be left behind or become one of the main components of another Eurasian center of world influence? I am convinced that the forthcoming St.Petersburg forum should be regarded from this point of view. Russia, CIS countries and neighboring European states have all the necessary potential prerequisites for this. We have a powerful intellectual base. In Russia, it is concentrated in Moscow, St.Petersburg, the Volga region, Ural region and Siberia. We have rich natural and labour resources, a system of high spiritual and moral values. It is with this insight into the future that the idea of creating a forum somewhat similar to the one in Davos is linked, in order to establish and strengthen efficient long-term connections on the basis of personal and unofficial business contacts on a non-governmental level. The forum is a complex multilateral event including exibits, presentations of investment projects, various round tables and symposia dedicated to the global challenges of the 21st century as well as to the solution of concrete pragmatic problems related to the space, aircraft engineering, telecommunications, oil & gas complex, the establishing of new shorter Arctic routes from Europe to Asia and America. The problems of St.Petersburg and adjacent regions will also be studied closely. The perspective of transforming the Northern capital into a kind of bridge between Europe and Russia, Europe and Asia will be particularly considered. I am often asked: “What exactly will we gain from the St.Petersburg economic forum?” I think that such a question is not quite correct. In my opinion, the forum is to solve the strategic problems and not the momentary ones. It would be wrong to determine its success by the number of contracts signed there. The results will show themselves later. If everything goes smoothly, if the forum is to become traditional, it will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the strengthening of Russia’s positions in the world economy and play a major role in the internal revival of Russia and St.Petersburg. I think that in Russia it is hard to find a better place for the forum than St.Petersburg. It is separated from the state authorities, which is very important. Its high intellectual and spiritual standards, perfect geographical situation, outstanding technical and cultural infrastructure are very attractive. The opportunities the forum opens are so rich and the economic benefits it promises are so great that, as far as I know, not only the business circles representatives from Russia and the CIS but also from Central and Northern Europe are going to take part in it. Among them there are leading politicians, major entrepreneurs and bankers, heads of industrial and commercial chambers and associations. I am sure: at the St.Petersburg economic forum, the position of participants and the system of priorities will be clearly defined, trusting contacts will be established which will later be of great assistance in solving various concrete problems. Moscow
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