Peskov believes that interest in SPIEF is not falling, despite the change of foreign participants

Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov commented on the results of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). He noted the change of participants, especially foreign ones. The Kremlin sees no decline in interest in the event. Mr. Peskov noted that Russia is not going to develop a “closed economy” because “autarky is inappropriate here.”

“We see that sometimes the composition of participants, especially foreign ones, changes as the international economic situation changes. But interest does not fall, some businessmen leave, other businessmen take their place,” said Mr. Peskov. “Izvestia”.

The Kremlin representative believes that at the forum, foreign participants were able to communicate with Russian partners and “probe topics for expanding their presence in our market.” “This is what we are interested in – (show.— “b”) that Russia is not going to be a closed country, to develop some kind of closed economy. Autarky is inappropriate here,” Peskov added.

The press secretary of the Russian president is convinced that the popularity of SPIEF will not decline. In his opinion, many entrepreneurs from Western countries would like to take part in it, “but they are afraid.” “The time will come when they will be less afraid and will come to us more,” said the Kremlin spokesman.

SPIEF was held from 14 to 17 June. This year it was visited by 17,000 representatives from 130 countries and territories. The United Arab Emirates became the guest country of SPIEF. More than 900 agreements were concluded for the amount of 3 trillion 860 billion rubles.

About Vladimir Putin’s speech at the forum – in the material “Kommersant” “Let’s get back to our programs”.

Leonid Uvarchev