Programme

In his annual address to the Federal Assembly on December 1, 2016, the President of the Russian Federation set representatives the task of ensuring that a uniformly high-quality business environment was established in all of Russia’s regions. This discussion will focus on problems encountered by Russian and foreign investors in Russia’s regions, factors influencing decisions about investment in Russia’s regions, and weak spots in development and possible ways to improve them. Plans for the session include a review of the results of a ‘mystery shopper’ assessment by the non-profit organization Leaders’ Club of the quality of regional institutions’ work in attracting investment and supporting business, as well as of the state of existing development zones (industrial parks, business incubators, etc.). What are the problems encountered by investors in Russia’s regions? What proposals are entrepreneurs able to offer for improving regional infrastructure to better support business?

Moderator:
Yury Bogdanov , Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel

Yury Bogdanov

Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel

Graduated from the Moscow Pedagogical State University. In 2002-2005 worked as a reporter and editor on the 1st Channel. Later continued his career as an anchorman on the "TV-center" channel. In the end of 2012 Yury started working on the leading news-channel Russia-24 as a news-broadcaster. Besides the daily broadcasting he also led several tv-projects: "The Senat", "Energetics", "The housing technologies", "Mobile Reporter", as well as "The Business Agent", the main objective of which is to challenge the investment climate in different regions. Since 2007 Yury also works on the radio: first experience he got on the RSN station, and continued on the Vesti-FM in 2009-2016. Enjoys motor sports.

Panellists
Artem Avetisyan , Director of the New Business Department, Agency of Strategic Initiatives; Chairman of the Non-Governmental Organization Leaders Club
Alexander Kalinin , President, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Opora Russia
Sergei Kelbakh , Chairman of the Board, Russian Highways
Veniamin Kondratiev , Head of Administration (Governor) of Krasnodar Territory
Nikolay Lubimov , Acting Governor of Ryazan Oblast
Agnessa Osipova , President, Russian Franchise Association (RFA); President, Baskin Robbins Production International
Andrey Pankov , General Director, Renault Russia
Philippe Pegorier , President, Alstom Russia; Member of the Board, Association of European Businesses (AEB)
Maksim Reshetnikov , Acting Governor of Perm Territory
Svetlana Chupsheva , Chief Executive Officer, Agency for Strategic Initiatives

Artem Avetisyan

Director of the New Business Department, Agency of Strategic Initiatives; Chairman of the Non-Governmental Organization Leaders Club

In 1998, he graduated from the Financial Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation. In 2001, he graduated from the Graduate School of the Financial Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation. From 2000 to 2003, he taught at the Valuation Activities Department of the Financial Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation. In 1997, he founded the company ZAO Independent Expert and Valuation Centre, which was reorganised into NEO Centre Consulting Group in 2004. Today NEO Centre is one of the leaders on the Russian market. In August 2011, he took over the New Business branch of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects. The chairman of the Supervisory Board of the ASI is Vladimir Putin. In February 2012, he was elected Chairman of the Russian business community Club of Leaders for the Promotion of Business Initiatives. The Club of Leaders was established at the initiative of businessmen and supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He is a member of the Expert Council under the Government of the Russian Federation. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Russian Agricultural Bank. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Russian Railways. He is a member of the Supervisory Board of Rosagroleasing. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Russian Hippodromes. He is part of the Interdepartmental Working Group for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation, the Public Council under the Federal Tax Service, the Public-Private Partnership Council under the Military and Industrial Commission of the Government of the Russian Federation, and the Public Council under the Commissioner of the President of the Russian Federation for Entrepreneurs’ Rights.

Alexander Kalinin

President, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Opora Russia

Born on November 4, 1966 in the city of Chelyabinsk. In 1989 graduated with honors from the Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute, specialization in robototronics, diploma qualification in electrical engineering. From 1989 to 1991 has undertaken postgraduate training program at the Department of Engineering Economics of the Chelyabinsk Polytechnic Institute. In 1991 founded a wholesale and retail company engaged in export and import operations. Fluent in spoken English. In 1995-1998 has graduated from the Ural Academy of Public Administration with a degree in law. In 1998 invested in the creation of a manufacturing company. The company designs and manufactures motor control centers, co-author of an invention patent. In 2002 became a founding member of All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium Business “OPORA RUSSIA”. In 2005 was elected Chairman of the Chelyabinsk regional office of “OPORA RUSSIA”. In 2007 was elected to the Board of “OPORA RUSSIA”. In 2012 was elected first Vice-President of “OPORA RUSSIA” on energy, infrastructure and cluster policy. Since 2013 – member of the Government Commission on Electric Power Development. In 2013 was elected Co-Chairman of the Staff of the Chelyabinsk regional branch of the All-Russian Public Movement “People's Front” for Russia!” Since 2014 – member of the Board of Directors of JSC “ROSSETI” (June 2014), member of the Board of Directors of RAO “UES” (August 2014). October 29, 2014 was elected President of All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium Business “OPORA RUSSIA” and Non-Profit Partnership “OPORA” Awarded with certificates of acknowledgement of the Presidential Administration, Government of the Russian Federation, Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region, Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk region.

Sergei Kelbakh

Chairman of the Board, Russian Highways

Sergei Kelbakh, Chairman of the Board of the State Company Russian Highways (Avtodor) Born on April 3, 1959 in the city of Slavgorod, Altai Krai. 1985 – graduated from the Leningrad Civil Engineering Institute. 1994 – graduated from the Russian-German Higher School of Management of the Academy of National Economy under the Government of the Russian Federation. 1996–2007 – General Manager of OOO Agentstvo Neudorf-Strelna. 2007–2008 – Adviser to the Chairman of the Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Improvement and Road Management of the Government of St. Petersburg. 2008–2009 – General Director of Russian Highways Federal State Agency. 2009–2011 – First Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Highways Company. Since December 27, 2011 – Chairman of the Board of the Russian State Highways Company. Doctor of Economics. First Deputy Head of State-Private Partnership Department, Professor of the University of Finances under the Government of the Russian Federation.

Veniamin Kondratiev

Head of Administration (Governor) of Krasnodar Territory

Veniamin Kondratiev was born September 1, 1970 in Prokopyevsk, Kemerovo Region. 1993: graduated from Kuban State University as a philologist and teacher of the Russian language. 1995: graduated from the same University as a lawyer. 1991–1994 – consultant, head of legal at Plutos JSC, Krasnodar. 1994–1995: senior lawyer in Legal Department of the administration of the Krasnodar Territory. 1995–2001: senior legal adviser and a leading specialist of the Legal Department of the administration of the Krasnodar Territory.2001–2003: deputy chief of staff and head of the legal administration of the Krasnodar Territory. 2003–2007: appointed Deputy Governor of the Krasnodar Territory for property, land and legal relations – head of Department of property relations. 2014 to January 2015: Deputy head of the main Department for Federal Property Management of the Presidential Administration. January 2015: Head of the main Department for Federal Property Management of the Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation. March 2015 – Deputy Head of Administrative Directorate of the President of the Russian Federation.

Nikolay Lubimov

Acting Governor of Ryazan Oblast

Born November 21, 1971, in Kaluga. Education - higher, University degree. In 1993, he graduated with honours from Kaluga State Pedagogical University after Konstantin E. Tsiolkovsky, with a specialization "teacher of history". In 2001, also with honours graduated from Moscow Humanitarian-Economic Institute (Kaluga branch), with a degree - "jurisprudent". After finishing the University, he headed the scientific-research sector of KSPU after Tsiolkovsky. From 1997 to 2003, held leading positions in organizations of the Kaluga region. June 2004, was appointed to the post of the minister of economic development of the Kaluga region. December 2007, was voted as the Head of the Kaluga City. December 2010, was named to the post of the deputy Governor of the Kaluga region, in 2012 – the deputy Governor of the Kaluga region - the chief of staff of the Kaluga region Governor. In 2015, was elected as the Legislative Assembly Chairman of the Kaluga region. September 2016, was voted as a Deputy of the Russian Federation State Duma, was included into the Budget and Taxation Committee, took charge of the sub-committee for interaction with the Account Chamber of Russia. Was awarded with Honorary Diploma of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, with medal "For Merit To The Kaluga region" of the III degree. Was graced with a number of official and public awards. By the Russian Federation President Decree from 14/02/2017 № 65 is appointed to the position of the Governor designate of the Ryazan region. Married, has two daughters.

Agnessa Osipova

President, Russian Franchise Association (RFA); President, Baskin Robbins Production International

In 2014 – elected a Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Management. On December 1, 2016 joined the Expert Council on development of trade activities in the Russian Federation of the Ministry of industry and trade of the Russian Federation. Since June 2016 – President of the Russian Franchise Association (RFA). Since 2016 – Osipova A.A. Member of the World Franchise Council (WFC) Under the leadership of Osipova A. A. JSC "BRPI" developed promising areas of activity of the enterprise, including the development of production and its modernization, franchise business promotion, improvement of the concepts and formats of outlets. Special attention is paid to supporting small and medium-sized businesses that provides the opportunity to open new businesses and create additional jobs in the regions of Russia and CIS countries. Currently more than 300 cafes of the company in 115 cities and countries of the CIS and Baltic States provide jobs for more than 2,000 people. The plant quality management system is certified for compliance with ISO 9001-2008. In 2014 JSC "BRPI" received a certificate "Management System of food safety" FSSC 22000. The plant quality management system is certified for compliance with ISO 9001-2008. In 2014 JSC "BRPI" received a certificate "management System of food safety" FSSC 22000. Since 2009 JSC “BRPI” has been an Official Purveyor to the Moscow Kremlin. JSC "BRPI" - the official licensee of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi 2014 The company conducts charitable activities and charity trips for school children to the ice cream factory, provides support to orphanages in Moscow and St.-Petersburg, to municipal societies and funds of the disabled. JSC "BRPI" is a partner of the military tattoo festival "Spasskaya Tower" in the Red Square, the primary sponsor of ice-cream Festival in Sokolniki park, a partner in many Federal, municipal, sports, cultural and other social events.

Andrey Pankov

General Director, Renault Russia

Managing Director CJSC Renault Russia, Member of Council on Industrial Development and Competitiveness of Russian Economics under Russian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Chairman of Committee on Export Support under Russian Automotive Manufacturers Association Born on October 20, 1972 Education: In 1995 graduated from Voronezh State University. Holds Master’s Degrees in Physics and Business Administration. In 2008 had a training course of Accelerated Development Program in London Business School. Career: From 1995 to 2005 – successful experience in managing the Russian divisions of international car companies - leaders of the domestic market. From 2005 to 2007 – Sales Director, Hyundai Motor in Russia. From 2007 to 2009 – General Manager of “Rikom” («ROLF Import Kazakhstan», «Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Kazakhstan»). From 2009 to 2015 – Chef Executive Officer and General Manager «ROLF Import» («Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Russia»). From 2015 to the present day – Managing Director CJSC Renault Russia.

Philippe Pegorier

President, Alstom Russia; Member of the Board, Association of European Businesses (AEB)

Philippe Pegorier has been President and General Director of Alstom Russia since January 2011. Alstom is a global leader in power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure equipment and services. Mr. Pegorier started his career 30 years ago in Moscow after graduating from KEDGE Business School in Bordeaux. He subsequently held positions in the Ministry for the Economy and Finance of France in Paris, Teheran, Kiev and Moscow. He also served as diplomatic advisor to Christine Lagarde during her term as Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade of France. Philippe Pegorier holds the title of Knight of the Legion of Honour.

Maksim Reshetnikov

Acting Governor of Perm Territory

- Born 11 July, 1979, Perm. - 2000: Graduated from Perm State University with a degree in economics and mathematics. PhD (Economics). - 2002: Earned a degree in linguistics and translation. - PhD Economic. - 2002 — 2005: Head of Budget Planning Division, Head of Division for Regional Finance and Investments, Deputy Head of the Main Economic Directorate of the Administration of the Perm Region. - 2005 — 2007: First Deputy Chairman, Planning Department, Perm Region; First Deputy Head of the Executive Office under the Governor of the Perm Territory. - 2007 — 2009: Deputy Director, Department for Inter-Budget Relations; Director, Department for Monitoring and Evaluation of Efficiency of Government Authorities of Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Regional Development of Russia. - 2009: Head of the Executive Office of the Governor of the Perm Territory. - 2009 — 2010: Director, Department for State Governance, Regional Development and Local Government of the Government Staff of the Russian Federation. - 2010: First Deputy Chief of Staff to the Moscow Mayor and Moscow Government. - 23 April, 2012: Appointed Moscow Government Minister and Head of the Moscow Department for Economic Policy and Development by an executive order of the Mayor of Moscow. - Actual State Councillor of the City of Moscow 1st Class. Awarded Honorary Certificate of the Government of the Russian Federation and Letter of Gratitude from the President of the Russian Federation.

Svetlana Chupsheva

Chief Executive Officer, Agency for Strategic Initiatives

Svetlana Chupsheva was born in Prague. In 2001 she graduated from Samara State Academy of Economics with Honors. Commencing from 2000 Svetlana Chupsheva worked at the Central Department of the Bank of Russia for Samara Region, then at the Government of Samara Region. From 2004 she held position of the Director General of the Rating Agency of the Government of Samara Region, and was the head of the State Institution Agency for Economic Development of Samara Region. From 2009 – adviser to the Deputy Chairmen of the Government of Samara Region – Ministry of Economic Development, Investment and Trade of Samara Region, then adviser to the Chairman of the Board of the CB Regional Credit, LLC. From 2011 – corporate director of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI). On August 10, 2015 she was appointed as the line director of the Social Projects of the ASI. From 2017 – Director General of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. She is awarded with the Certificate of Merit issued by the President of the Russian Federation, she has the certificate of acknowledgement issued by the President of the Russian Federation and the certificate of acknowledgement issued by the Mayor of Moscow. She brings up four children.

Igor Esin , Chairman of the Board of Directors, NIIK (Research and Design Institute of Urea and Organic Synthesis Products)
Vladimir Krasnoborodko , General Director, The Stamp of the Union State
Andrey Nikitin , Governor of Novgorod Region

Igor Esin

Chairman of the Board of Directors, NIIK (Research and Design Institute of Urea and Organic Synthesis Products)

Igor Veniaminovich Esin is the Chairman of Board of Directors of JSC NIIK, Director of JSC TIKO-Plastic. Member of Non-Commercial Partnership Council «Leader’s Club for Business Initiatives Advance». From 1998 and up to now he is Chairman of Board of Directors of JSC NIIK (design and engineering within nitrogen industry), and Director of LLC TIKO (process equipment supply). From 2000 and up to now he is Director of JSC TIKO-Plastic (production of multi-layer polymeric packing (polyethylene, polypropylene). It is the largest Russian production company of advertising polyethylene bags with loop-type and cutout lugs. Awards: Certificate of Merit from Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation for large individual contribution into chemical industry development and for longstanding conscientious work, 2013.

Vladimir Krasnoborodko

General Director, The Stamp of the Union State

He was born on July 16, 1975. He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) specializing in "Applied Mathematics and Physics", received additional specialization in finance "MBA-Finance", in 2005 - in management (London Metropolitan University), successfully completed training in the Federal Program Training of management personnel for organizations of the national economy of the Russian Federation. He owns several patents of the inventions. He was a Minister of the Agricultural of thr Tver region, Administration of the Tver region, was a deputy of the Assembly of the Tver region. Since 2006, he is the owner of companies in the field of aviation, oil products and consulting. Currently developing of heavy unmanned aircraft. Member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, resident of the Skolkovo Foundation. Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC "Design Bureau" Horizont".

Andrey Nikitin

Governor of Novgorod Region

Andrey Nikitin was born in Moscow in 1979. In 2001, he graduated from the State University of Management (Moscow). In 2007, he received an EMBA degree of the internationally accredited Stockholm School of Economics. In 2002-2011 he worked at the RUSKOMPOZIT Group, unifying Russian biggest companies in the fiberglass, composites and geosynthetics industries. Andrey Nikitin held different positions at the group, since 2009 he became General Director of «RUSKOMPOZIT Management Company» OJSC. Since July 27th, 2011 he has been working as General Director of a non-profit organization "Agency for Strategic Initiatives" (ASI). The Agency implements comprehensive projects aimed at enhancement of the investment climate, the development of vocational education and supplementary education for children. The ASI also coordinates the National Technology Initiative — a set of measures to create fundamentally new markets. Member of the Presidential Council on Economic Modernization and Innovative Development of Russia. Member of the Presidential Economic Council. Member of the Presidential Commission on State Service and Senior Executives Candidates Pool. Member of the Supervisory Council of the Single-industry Cities Development Fund and the Industry Development Fund. Board member of the Federal Corporation for SME Development. Has a Ph.D. in Economics. Andrey Nikitin was awarded a second-class medal of the Order of Merit for the Motherland He also received a personal note of acknowledgement from the President of the Russian Federation.