| The Davos Forum will simulate a global political and economic catastrophe Until the end of the week, political and business stars from various countries will stay in a small Swiss resort, which has become famous throughout the world thanks to the annual World Economic Forum. The Davos Forum, despite the fact that, as a rule, no decisions are made at it, is so famous that all more or less large congresses necessarily call themselves “women’s Davos” or, for example, “Arab”. By the way, for Russia in some years this economic forum became fateful. For example, it was there that people who were previously called “oligarchs” made the decision in 1996 to “move” Boris Yeltsin for a second term.
However, Russia is no longer the main topic of Davos. This year, the main topic for discussion is proposed to be the most dynamically developing countries in the world - India and China. “Forum participants will discuss the influence of China and India on the global economy, as well as potential problems and challenges that India and China may face in reforming and modernizing their economic systems,” clarifies forum official Jonathan Schmidt. In addition, special attention will be drawn to the new German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It was her solemn speech that was made at the official opening of the forum.
The Russian delegation is headed by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref. As you know, it was planned that Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin would go to Davos. He was supposed to hold negotiations as part of the preparations for the meeting of G8 finance ministers, but his superiors in the person of Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov did not let him in. Therefore, the Russian delegation in Davos will have to focus on negotiations on accession to the World Trade Organization.
As explained by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Mr. Gref is scheduled to hold talks with the ministers of Australia, Brazil and Switzerland (with whom negotiations cannot be completed), European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson and Director General of the World Trade Organization Pascal Lamy. Russia has already reached an agreement with the European Union on the WTO, but Mr. Gref will have to solve an equally difficult task. Brussels demands the immediate abolition of fees for Trans-Siberian flights. It’s not that Moscow is refusing completely, but it plans to do this not now, but in a few years.
In addition, a working meeting of the Foreign Investment Advisory Council will be held on the topic “Key government priorities for improving the investment climate in Russia.” As Mr. Gref promised President Putin, a new Russian project - special economic zones - will be presented in Davos. The minister also plans to meet with twelve of the world's largest companies. Perhaps among them there will be those who want to become residents of Russian zones.
Finally, the minister will have to find partners for the implementation of one of the presidential projects - the creation of business schools in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Several Russian companies have already expressed their readiness to take part in this project. Now Mr. Gref must look for volunteers among foreigners.
Two of the topics stated in the preliminary program of the forum will be devoted to Russia: “Is Russia turning to the East?” and “Russia and the world: scenarios for the period until 2025.” At these sessions, the causes and consequences of the gas conflict between Moscow and Kiev will be discussed.
In general, energy issues will be given major attention at Davos. At one of the sessions, even for three and a half hours, a situation will be simulated when, as a result of terrorist attacks, oil prices will exceed $120 per barrel and how it will be necessary to react to this. Vera SITNINA |
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