SPIEF 2025 started in St. Petersburg

The International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2025) began in St. Petersburg on June 18. Business cards of the countries and exhibition pavilions immediately catch the attention of the guests. A correspondent of Izvestia told us what the forum will surprise you with this year.

According to the journalist, representatives from 137 countries confirmed their participation in the forum, but the Kingdom of Bahrain has the honorary status of a guest country this year, which underlines the high status of relations between the countries.

"Naturally, there is a coffee shop at their stand, what kind of eastern country without coffee? In this corner, they will talk about the golden residency program, a special visa for living and doing business in the kingdom. And, of course, there is a cozy meeting room," said correspondent Maxim Oblender.

The theme of the 28th summit is "Shared values are the foundation for growth in a multipolar world." Russia welcomes partnership relations with all countries, including African States. A delegation from Cameroon came to the forum with the specific aim of increasing trade turnover.

"We need at least his (trade turnover. — Ed.) double it. And for this purpose, we have created a network of reliable African entrepreneurs who studied in Russia, who know the Russian mentality, who know the African mentality," said Louis Gouend, a representative of Cameroon.

The head of the BRICS International Forum noted that all decisions taken at the forum are crucial for the countries of the association. This year, the topics of cultural exchange, trade, digitalization, climate change will be discussed again, as well as the work of the New BRICS Development Bank.

"This is a huge platform where countries discuss how they can change their economies, how they can cooperate in the energy sector, trade oil and gas. Russia understands the importance of small and medium—sized businesses, and many countries come to the forum because they are exploring new markets with the BRICS countries," said Anand Purnima, President of the BRICS International Forum.

SPIEF 2025: dates, program and participants, Putin's speech

Russia's main international economic forum will be held in the second half of June.

The journalist added that no forum is complete without the presentation of new models of Russian cars.

"This [car] is still hidden from the eyes of the guests, it will be shown at 1 p.m. But it's clear from the characteristic design of the discs and triangular headlights that this is a new Lada crossover," he said.

Oblender noted that taxis are in high demand in St. Petersburg right now. So many guests have come to the cultural capital that there are practically no available rooms in the hotels now.

"We don't remember such a large booking window and such an influx of guests since 2019. We have already been completely sold out in six months," said Yunis Teymurkhanli, the founder and owner of one of the hotels.

It is specified that the final figures on the number of guests and the amount of signatures will be known only on the closing day of the forum. But it is already clear that many records will be broken.

Earlier that day, experts reported that the amount of contracts concluded for SPIEF 2025 could amount to 7.5 trillion rubles. For comparison, a year earlier the total cost was about 6.4 trillion, that is, almost 20% less.

The forum will be held from 18 to 21 June.