Sergey MIRONOV, Chairman of the Council of the Federation, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament)

During these years the Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland has become an important source of information for Swiss and European communities about the legislative initiatives of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and efforts of the Government of the Russian Federation to effectively modernize and improve the process of the transition to the market economy. This Forum also plays an important role in promoting Russia-Switzerland cooperation in foreign trade, investments, banking and tourism as well as facilitates the development of integration processes and elaboration of joint projects for small and medium size enterprises. 

Boris GRYZLOV, Chairman of the State Duma, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (Lower Chamber of the Russian Parliament)

A series of Conferences Transition to the Market Economy: New Challenges in Economic and Financial Sectors provides a unique opportunity for a constructive dialog between political, business and expert elites of different countries. Deputies of the Russian parliament participate with great interest in discussions on urgent issues of international economic and financial relations held at these conferences. State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation gives much prominence to the legislation promoting the creation of a sound legal ground for the development of market economy in our country.

Aleksander ZHUKOV, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia

The Russian Economic and Financial Forum in West European countries having close political, economic and financial ties with Russia has become an established tradition. These meetings serve to promote cooperation with our European neighbours and enhance the dialog between representatives of the business community. Important pertinent issues discussed at the plenary sessions, profound and interesting presentations attract delegates and make contacts between them informal and fruitful.

Sergey STEPASHIN, Chairman of the Accounting Chamber of Russia, Former Prime Minister of Russia

The Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland and the Russia-Netherlands Economic Forum have become remarkable events in bilateral relations of Russia with Switzerland and The Netherlands. Intensification of contacts between representatives of the legislative and executive branches of power, bankers and entrepreneurs serves interests of our countries and provides a regular opportunity for a discussion of many practical aspects of the cooperation.

Sergey LAVROV, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia

Russia and Finland are bound by common history of good neighbourhood and fruitful cooperation. An active dialog of the Presidents of our countries Vladimir Putin and Tarja Halonen, intense contacts between the respective governments, strengthening interregional relations, especially along the borders, laid a solid foundation for the further progressive growth of Russian-Finnish relations. The traditional exchange of goods is complimented by modern forms of economic partnership – joint implementation of large projects, transfer of know-how in the domain of technology and innovations, investment cooperation and infrastructure support of business contacts. Banking and financial ties have also being successfully developed.

I wish all the participants of the Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Finland a productive experience, launching new large business projects and the involvement of an ever expanding circle of businessmen from our countries into the development of the Russian-Finnish business partnership.

Aleksei GORDEEV, Minister of Agriculture of Russia, Co-Chairman of the Russia – Netherlands Intergovernmental Economic Commission

The Russia-Netherlands Economic Forum is a useful tool to promote economic and trade relations between Russia and The Netherlands. I took part in previous sessions of the Forum and noticed an interest of representatives of state bodies and business communities of both countries in exchanging views in different areas of bilateral cooperation. As a Co-Chairman of the Russia – Netherlands Intergovernmental Economic Commission I also appreciate this Forum because while preparing meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission we also took into consideration problems and possible ways to solve them that were proposed at the Forum.  

Relations between our countries are reaching new levels now and become more trustful and meaningful and in this context the Russia-Netherlands Economic Forum can give a new impetus to the Russia-Netherlands dialog and facilitate economic cooperation and trade.     

Sergey IGNATIEV, Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia

Forums and Conferences Transition to the Market Economy are instrumental to informal discussions of draft banking laws initiated by the State Duma and help to learn opinions of different interested parties.

Joseph DEISS, Federal Councilor and Minister of Economy of Switzerland

The Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland – an important event for promoting Swiss-Russian economic relations. This Forum will have on its agenda important economic and financial issues of mutual interest. The participants from Russia and Switzerland will get a deeper insight in questions that are at present challenging the governments of the two countries. Furthermore, this Forum will provide an opportunity for direct contacts between governmental and business representatives that will help to intensify bilateral economic relations.

HSH Hereditary Prince ALOIS of Liechtenstein

The Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland provides a chance for delegates from Switzerland, Liechtenstein and other European countries to get from the key executives of the Russian government, parliament and business elite a first-hand detailed information about the political, economic and social development of one of the largest countries in the world. Furthermore it promotes the country image, informs business partners about the potential of the national economy and dresses guidelines to intensify the international cooperation in specific sectors. This Forum is also a useful ground for law-makers, businessmen and diplomats to compare and coordinate economic and financial legislations and practices employed in different jurisdictions.

Gerhard SCHRÖDER, Chairman of the Shareholders’ Committee of Nord Stream and former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

The Russian Economic and Financial Forum has been providing for many years a useful opportunity and excellent stage for European businessmen wishing to explore Russian market, present their projects and establish reliable contacts with Russian counterparts. It is also the place where future projects can be discussed and different points of view can be heard and integrated in these projects. The ongoing process of the European integration including close cooperation between the European Union and Russian energy systems can only be intensified and facilitated by such multilateral meetings and dedicated discussions characterised by high professional level of speakers and attending delegates.

Dmitri CHERKASHIN, Ambassador of Russia in Switzerland

Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland proved to be a useful tool to maintain contacts, establish business relations and exchange views in the areas related to the Russian economy and its future development as well as international economic and financial cooperation. Our Swiss colleagues and partners praised on numerous occasions the effectiveness of this annual meeting. I am confident that expert presentations, speeches of bankers and further direct contacts between delegates will be useful and informative and help to analyze prospects of the growth and potential of the Russian market and bilateral Russia-Switzerland cooperation in the future.

Erwin HOFER, Ambassador of Switzerland in Russia

Several times already the Organizing Committee of the Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland has been able to convene an impressive get together of prominent representatives of public and private institutions with most stimulating debates on questions mainly related to economy and finance. The Forum represents therefore an excellent and concrete example of public-private partnership:  the only possible way to tackle complex but promising issues with a guarantee of successful results.  Furthermore,  the Forum  -  thanks mainly to the discussions which take place during the various sessions and  to the manifold  opportunities  that it provides for informal contacts  -  also represents  an  unique occasion  to strengthen our already excellent bilateral relations. The Government of Switzerland through its Embassy in Moscow is therefore particularly grateful to the Organizing Committee of this major event for its achievements and for its future efforts.

Kirill GEVORGIAN, Ambassador of Russia in The Netherlands

Mutual interest of Russian and Dutch people and bilateral relations between our two countries have many centuries of history. These relations include multiple political contacts, intensive commercial and economic exchanges, promising investment projects, scientific and technical cooperation. Large-scale cultural cooperation and active tourist exchanges also play an important role in the framework of our bilateral relations.

The Russia-Netherlands Economic Forum is one of the useful initiatives promoting relations between two counties. It has a reputation of a practical tool to establish relations and reinforce business contacts. It is a meeting point for prominent representatives of government institutions, banks and companies from both countries where they discuss further promotion and development of the cooperation. At the Forum delegates can discuss many problems and trace the ways to solve them

Job COHEN, Mayor of Amsterdam

The Russia-Netherlands Economic Forum demonstrated a genuine interest of political and business communities of both countries in developing bilateral cooperation and contacts. I have the confidence that it will strengthen the existing ties between our countries and businesses and that we can even expand our cooperation.

Garegin TOSUNYAN, President of the Association of Russian Banks

From the very first session presidents of the Association of Russian Banks participated in international conferences Transition to the Market Economy which were supplemented later by bilateral economic forums and first of all by the Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland. In the process of transition to the market economy in Russia and development of its banking sector these conferences became an integral part of life of our banking community. Top managers of major Russian banks have been attending them on a regular basis and each time they find in these events something new and interesting. For me as a lawyer and a banker with a long-term involvement in problems of Russian banking community and legislation it is always interesting to take part in these meetings and learn opinions and specific proposals of members of the Association and foreign colleagues. Many of these proposals were finally reflected in documents and legislative initiatives of the Association of Russian Banks.  

Sergey EGOROV, Honorary Chairman of the Association of Russian Banks

Association of Russian Banks in cooperation with its Swiss counterparts initiated in 1992 the first banking seminar held within the framework of international meetings Transition to the Market Economy. This initiative was fully supported by the Central Bank of Russia as well as the Supreme Soviet (Parliament) of Russia - at that time it was making only first steps in developing Russian banking legislation. We also received a major support from the Swiss Bankers Association and leading Swiss banks and insurance companies, which enhanced the serious and business-like character of these meetings. There is a lot of different banking meetings organized in Russia and abroad nowadays but the Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland as well as conferences Transition to the Market Economy are still among the most serious and highly professional networking solutions promoting closer ties between Russian and Western banking communities.

Mikhail ZADORNOV, President-Chairman of the Board, VTB 24, Former Minister of Finance of Russia

I took part in many international forums and conferences and in my opinion the Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland is one of the most interesting and meaningful meetings attended by Russian delegates. The long history and many successful sessions of this Forum and conferences Transition to the Market Economy testify to the fact that Russian and foreign delegates consider them to be useful and value their atmosphere and results.

Boris TITOV, Chairman of the All-Russian Public Organization «Business Russia»

Long term close ties between businessmen from Russia and Switzerland resulted in many successful projects realized in engineering, food industries, financial and tourism sectors. Cooperation between our countries experiences a steady growth and such meetings like Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland facilitate this growth and promote the discussion of new prospective areas of cooperation. Members of the «Business Russia» consider the joint work with their Swiss colleagues as an important element of the Russia’s integration into the global market system and they are ready to continue this fruitful cooperation to the benefit of the development of bilateral relations.

Sergey BORISOV, President of the All-Russian Public Organization of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises «OPORA Rossii»

Experience of Swiss colleagues is a useful reference for Russian entrepreneurs. Small and medium-size Swiss enterprises in fact lay down the foundation of the economy of this country and together with large and worldwide known Swiss companies make a substantial contribution to its prosperity. Representatives of member companies of “OPORA Rossii” use meetings, discussions and seminars organized within the framework of the Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland to find new partners as well as to exchange the experience and information with Swiss businessmen. This Forum not only helps us to learn the experience of leading European states but also provides the ground for the elaboration of universal solutions of general and specific problems facing small and medium-size enterprises in Europe.

Pierre G. MIRABAUD, Chairman of the Swiss Bankers Association

I am delighted that my home city of Geneva - the birthplace of private banking and a leading international financial centre - is hosting the Regional Cooperation Forum. I am convinced that the opportunity for discussions and contacts provided by the Forum will further enhance bilateral economic relations between Switzerland and the Russian Federation.

Ivan PICTET, Chairman of the Geneva Financial Center

In the world of finance, the Geneva Financial Center has been a respected center for the last 500 years. Its banking industry combines a strong tradition and respect for financial privacy. In the banking reform process in Russia under way, the expertise of Switzerland and Swiss bankers could be decisive. I am confident that the Regional Cooperation Forum will provide a platform for additional cooperation and business opportunities, and will further promote the development of Swiss-Russian relationship.

Rita FUHRER, President of the Government of the Canton of Zurich

The Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Switzerland offers distinguished Russian and Swiss personalities from politics and business an important platform for mutual exchange and inspiration. Cultural, academic and indeed economic contacts between Switzerland and Russia have existed for centuries – after all, Swiss jewellery was held in high regard at the Court of the Tsar. Nowadays around 200 Swiss companies operate in Russia, and Switzerland is more than just a popular tourist destination for Russians. Thanks to organisations such as FINAS, we can be confident that we will be able to enjoy the valuable tradition of fruitful relations for a long time to come.

Harry HELENIUS, Ambassador of Finland in Russia

I warmly welcome the initiative of establishing a Russian Economic and Financial Forum in Finland. The Forum provides opportunities for high-level decision makers and specialists from both countries to exchange views on topical issues and enhances the growth of ties between Finland and Russia.

Mirja Tiri, Chief Executive Officer, Finnish-Russian Chamber of Commerce

Russia and Finland have always been partners. The business has both grown in volume and expanded in type of business activity from straightforward trade to complicated mergers and acquisitions as well as investments. Financing and banking is both a prerequisite for and a facilitator of all types of business activities. It is also one of the most difficult and therefore intriguing disciplines. I am therefore delighted that a meeting on this particular theme – Russian Economic and Financial Forum – with such distinguished speakers is now held in Helsinki. This is a forum for useful information and good contacts.