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Russia and Latin America: building dialogue at Russia’s leading economic forums

Russia and Latin America: building dialogue at Russia’s leading economic forums

On February 5, 2016, a special presentation on the anniversary year of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum took place at the Mansion of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow. Those present included ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The event was organized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Roscongress Foundation.

The event was attended by the ambassadors of 11 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru); representatives of the diplomatic missions of Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Uruguay and Venezuela; and members of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the SPIEF and EEF organizing committees.

Alexander Stuglev, CEO of the Roscongress Foundation, gave a detailed account of the opportunities offered by SPIEF 2016 and EEF 2016 with regard to creating an effective dialogue between the business communities of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Russia. Particular attention was given to the new venue for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. In its 20th anniversary year, the Forum is offering a number of special new developments for participants alongside the traditional setup: SPIEF Business Expo, SPIEF Investment Projects, and foreign country lounges.

The meeting with the ambassadors marked an initial step towards establishing direct links with business leaders in Latin America. This initiative will continue in Uruguay as part of Business Forum "Russia - Latin America". Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum Organizing Committee, said that increasing economic cooperation with the countries of Latin America is a priority for Russia: “Today our Latin American partners are showing substantial interest in building dialogue at Russia’s leading economic forums – the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum. I firmly believe that this interaction will facilitate further expansion of Russian–Latin American relations and increase the potential for trade and economic cooperation between our countries.”

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