Participation of the Law firm "YUST" in the Seventh International Investment Forum in the city of Sochi (Russia).

The Seventh International Investment Forum "Sochi-2008", organized by Ministers of Economic Development of Regions and by Governor of Krasnodar region, was held on September 18 – 21 in the capital of the next Olympic Games – Sochi.

According to official data, 112 agreements and memoranda for a total sum of 13.8 billion Euros were signed at the forum. Heads of Governments of four states – Russia, France, Belgium and Bulgaria – took part in the forum. Over 8000 participants, including representatives of 40 countries and 58 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, visited round-table conferences and exhibition halls.

The Law firm "YUST" at the forum was represented by Agnès Lalardrie, Counsellor of the Firm.

Elvira Nabiullina, Minister of Economic Development of the RF, considers that the Forum "Sochi-2008" has become one of key events in the country economic life.

Round-table conferences and presentations of constituent entities of the Russian Federation were held at the forum. The Russian-French round-table conference with participation of Christine Lagarde, French Minister of Economics, Industry and Employment, was an important event within the forum. Addressing French businessmen, Mrs. Lagard noticed that though the trade between Russia and France was developing, our countries could co-operate more actively.

Alexander Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RUIE), confirmed that the interaction between Russia and France can reach a new level at the moment, and that it had approached indicators of such countries as Germany and the Netherlands. At the forum, the Collaboration Agreement between the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and the Movement of the French Enterprises (MEDEF) was signed (text of the agreement can be found here: www.rspp.ru ).

French businessmen in their presentations confirmed their interest in developing business in Russia.

At the meeting of Prime Ministers of Russia and France, the parties noted the progress of joint projects between the two countries, particularly, in aerospace and energy areas, transport infrastructure and motor industry development. Moreover, co-operation in agriculture was considered as perspective at the moment.

At the forum, it was emphasize that 2010 – the year of France in Russia and the year of Russia in France – would be important not only for collaboration in culture, but also for continuation of economic development and for support of Russian investments into France, as well as French investments into Russia.

The forum site: www.forumkuban.ru/index.php