International business remains on its own – Economics – Kommersant

A two-day forum of business representatives from the B20 countries ended today in Indonesia. Traditionally, it is held before the main summit (G20) and is a platform for the formation of recommendations to governments on economic development. As part of the B20, Indonesia has created six working groups – they included the leadership of companies and business organizations of the G20 countries. The delegation of Russian business at the forum was headed by the head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Alexander Shokhin.

The B20 platform largely inherits the agenda of previous years, leaving aside geopolitical differences that have become only a background for solving previous problems. According to the document, the B20 has identified priorities in three key areas – in matters of accelerating the transition to a green economy, promoting inclusive growth, and equitable access to healthcare.

The authors of the communiqué recall that the G20 accounts for about 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which means that enterprises in these countries should play an important role in moving towards decarbonization. In this context, the B20 will promote transformation, including expanding the use of renewable energy and green technologies, entering carbon markets and stimulating green investment. In addition, attention is paid to the transition to a more sustainable and fair economy (for vulnerable groups of the population, small and medium-sized businesses). This includes the inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises in the global economy and equal access to work for “vulnerable groups” of the population.

The “legacy” of COVID-19 explains the continued interest in healthcare. The B20 recalls the damage the virus has done to the economy and highlights the possibility of a new pandemic with a similar global impact on the global economy. In this regard, the business community recommends investing in public health systems and addressing systemic gaps in their infrastructure. At the same time, as the authors of the communiqué note, the pandemic stimulated the adoption of technologies and revealed economic potential that has not yet been realized. Therefore, the recommendations of the business community are largely about creating an economic environment that promotes innovation.

The coordinator of the participation of Russian business in the meeting, Managing Director for International Multilateral Cooperation and Integration of the RSPP Sergey Mikhnevich draws attention to the “constructive nature of the dialogue with international partners” within the framework of the “Business Twenty”. “Our B20 partners are focused on solving specific business challenges. Despite the difficult international environment, business remains committed to the same priorities, including stimulating the innovative dynamics of the global economy and ensuring sustainable development, taking into account national specifics. A rational and impartial vision of the international situation by business has been confirmed in the verified wording of the B20 recommendations to the G20 leaders,” Sergei Mikhnevich notes. He adds that this approach was confirmed during the meetings held at the summit by Alexander Shokhin with partners from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia and China.

Diana Galieva