As one of the organizers, Sergei Kolushev, has said in a RIA interview, more than 600 of the forum's delegates are expected to attend the gala. "This is a one-off occasion; all the members of the Novaya Rossiya (New Russia) symphony orchestra are coming along to take part," he said. Soloists of Russia's Helikon Opera will be performing, as well.
The guests of honor will include Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin; and St. Petersburg Mayor Valentina Matviyenko, among other dignitaries, our interviewee said,
The 8th Russian Economic Forum will running in the British capital April 10 through 12. It has been organized by the British Department of Trade and Industry, the British Confederation of Industry, and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, among others. The RIA news agency will be providing information support for the forum.
According to the organizers, the Russian Economic Forum is an annual, full-scale gathering of members of Russia's business elite and their partners in the West. It is instrumental in promoting a positive image of the Russian government's economic reforms, fostering business ties between Russia and the West, and encouraging foreign investment in the Russian economy.
The attendees traditionally include representatives of corporate giants, investment banks, governmental organizations, business associations, and major media organizations of Russia and Western countries. As of now, some twenty hundred delegates have registered with the organizing committee for this year's gathering.
The forum opens April 10 with a ceremonial reception for the delegates; the deliberations are scheduled for April 11 and 12.
