Today, Russia has developed a system of generally recognized economic forums held to incentivize economic growth in certain regions. Major interregional forums focus on development goals of specific regions. The Sochi International Investment Forum lays emphasis on Russia’s southern regions, the Tomsk- and Krasnoyarsk-based forums prioritize Siberia’s development, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum addresses global economic issues. Until 2012, Central Russia, the most populated part of the country, was on the outskirts of the global media landscape.

In June 2012, Kursk city hosted the first CENTRAL RUSSIAN ECONOMIC FORUM which restored the information balance and put the economic issues of Central Russia into the limelight. Preparation for the second CENTRAL RUSSIAN ECONOMIC FORUM (CEF 2013) is currently underway.

The Forum due July 5 and 6, 2013 in Kursk City is hosted by the Government of Kursk region. AK&M Information Agency is the chief coordinator of events and actions in the run-up to the Forum. CEF 2013 is widely supported by the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District of Russia.

One of the main Forum objectives is to provide condensed information on the regions’ potential, their needs for investments and other requirements. The Forum is expected to be a pulpit for investors, a place effectively blending capital, resources, initiatives and technologies.

The Plenary Session theme is: “Higher Economic Resilience through Domestic Market Expansion”, definitely a top priority matter for all the federal subjects after Russia’s accession to the WTO. The plenary session will be moderated by Maxim Shevchenko, journalist & presenter at Russia's Channel 1.

One of the central Forum events will be the Business Contest of Central Russia’s investment projects aimed at detecting truly interesting and promising projects and initiatives beneficial, if implemented, for the region and Russian economy as a whole.

Another key Forum event will be the session of the Council under the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District addressing the theme: “Cross-border cooperation of Central Russia: new opportunities for regions, stronger interregional integration”.

The Forum will comprise quite a number of events addressing the top priority development issues of Central Russia’s regions including:

• Business contest of Central Russia’s investment projects
• Business duel “Food supply security of Russia and EurAsEC countries: objectives and capabilities of Central Russia’s regions”
• Eurasian forum of vegetable growers
• Topical panel discussion: “Role and place of small business in the development of Central Russia’s regions”
• Dialogue with experts: “Young generation in the world of innovations. Young people’s ideas as viewed by competent experts.”
• “Environment and business: balancing interests to ensure sustainable development of the macroregion”

All the interested entities and institutions may attend and contribute to the CENTRAL RUSSIAN ECONOMIC FORUM (CEF 2013) on July 5-6, 2013 in Kursk City. To take part in the Forum, please submit the filled-in registration form to the Forum Organizing Committee.