For the sixth time, the Eastern Economic Forum will be held on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island.

In addition to guests from Russia, representatives of China, Japan, South Korea, France, the United States and other countries are expected at EEF-2021.

In total, according to the forecasts of the organizers, about 4 thousand delegates will come to the forum.

This year, it was decided to reduce the number of participants in the business site by almost half compared to 2019.

As Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev explained, this is necessary to ensure security measures in a difficult epidemic situation.

“Now we have no tasks to set records in terms of numbers.

Our task is to invite the most important people on whom the development of the Far East largely depends, ”Trutnev emphasized.

More than 90 events are planned to be held within the framework of the WEF business program.

The main topic of the agenda is “New Opportunities for the Far East in a Changing World”.

Traditionally, the forum will bring together leading Russian and foreign entrepreneurs, politicians, experts and representatives of the media and public organizations to discuss the most pressing issues of the regional and international agenda.

This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address to the guests and participants of the EEF.

“It is necessary to outline the optimal forms and mechanisms of interaction aimed at improving the investment climate, developing transport, energy, industrial and tourism infrastructure, as well as ensuring a high level of environmental safety.

And I am sure that special attention will be paid to the problems associated with overcoming the economic and social consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, ”Putin said.

First of all, business and government representatives will try to identify new directions for the development of the global economy after the crisis, and also consider the weaknesses of world trade identified by the pandemic.

Timofey Bordachev, Program Director of the Valdai Club, who is participating in the forum, spoke about this in an interview with RT.

“One of the key tasks of the business site this year is to comprehend the new reality into which the pandemic has involved the world.

In particular, what should be the route of Russia to renew ties with the East and Asia.

In addition, entrepreneurs need to adapt the methods that worked successfully before the pandemic in order to attract a new audience in the conditions of still partially open borders, ”Bordachev said.

In addition, special attention in the fields of EEF-2021 is planned to be paid to increasing the attractiveness of the Far East in terms of investment.

One of the traditional forum participants, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sergey Katyrin, spoke about this in an interview with RT.

According to him, regional entrepreneurs need to speak more actively with partners about their innovations and tools that allow deepening trade ties.

“For example, we expect that the WEF will announce specific parameters of the free customs zone regime on the Kuril Islands.

There, it is planned to completely exempt investors from all taxes for a long time, reduce social insurance contributions to 7.6% and other preferences.

I believe that the introduction of special tax regimes will attract foreign investors, primarily from Asian countries, ”Katyrin emphasized.

  • The main building of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) on Russky Island on the eve of the opening of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), which will be held from 2 to 4 September

  • RIA News

  • © Alexander Kryazhev

In the context of the pandemic, some foreign guests of EEF-2021 will take part in online meetings.

In addition, this year it is planned to organize separate studios of the forum abroad, which will operate in an interactive mode of teleconferences in Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo.

“At the WEF it is important to present the possibilities of Russia and in foreign markets.

Our country is actively trading with the states of the Far East.

At the same time, the range of exported goods is expanding, innovative entrepreneurship is being developed, and innovative domestic developments are being promoted to foreign markets.

One should not think that Russia only exports timber and oil abroad.

This is far from the case, ”added Sergey Katyrin.

"Discuss the lessons of the pandemic"

The central event of the WEF will be the plenary session on September 3, at which Vladimir Putin is expected to speak.

The heads of Kazakhstan and Mongolia will also be present in the videoconference mode.

In addition, video messages from the leaders of China, India, Thailand and Argentina are expected.

This was announced on August 31 by the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov.

The forum will also discuss the topic of recovery of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

According to Alexander Kalinin, president of the all-Russian public organization of small and medium-sized businesses "Support of Russia", during the pandemic, it was small enterprises that were largely affected by quarantine restrictions and now need support.

“Business found itself in a difficult situation, but was able to recover quickly at the expense of its own resources and state support.

This time all 11 Far Eastern regions are actively represented in the fields.

In my opinion, this is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to discuss the lessons of the pandemic and develop new routes for the development of SMEs both domestically and internationally, ”Kalinin said.

In addition, the guests of the EEF will touch upon the issue of digitalization of the Russian economy.

Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Development Bank Tigran Sargsyan, who is participating in the forum, also spoke about this in an interview with RT.

“This is not only about the Far Eastern region of Russia, but also about the EAEU countries.

Digitalization now concerns almost all topics of the forum - finance, transport, logistics, technology, science, innovation.

It is this aspect that has already become a connecting link between the interests of both investors and states and public institutions, ”Sargsyan stressed.

The Eastern Economic Forum was first held in 2015 by decree of Vladimir Putin.

Work on the site takes place in the format of panel sessions, round tables, TV debates, business breakfasts and business dialogues.

Following the results of EEF-2019, 270 agreements were signed for 3.4 trillion rubles.

Then the forum accommodated more than 100 events, which were attended by over 8.5 thousand delegates from 65 states.

In 2020, it was decided to cancel the WEF due to the difficult epidemic situation in Russia and the world.