The press centre of the Government of the Russian Federation hosted a press briefing by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and 2018 Russian Investment Forum Organizing Committee Chairman Dmitry Kozak on 1 February 2018.

During the briefing, Kozak announced the key topics of the forum’s business programme as well as the number and makeup of the Forum participants.

The Russian Investment Forum will take place on 15–16 February at the Olympic Park Main Media Centre. The key theme of the Forum is ‘Forming the Image of the Future’.

The Russian Investment Forum programme consists of three main thematic clusters:

- ‘New Regional Policy: Improving Administration’. The cluster will be devoted to issues concerning improvements to the public administration system.

- Participants in the thematic cluster ‘A Fresh Boost for Regional Business’ will discuss ways to stimulate regional entrepreneurship.

- The cluster ‘Improving Quality of Life’ will focus on such topics as public health, ecology, digital education, and innovative urban development.

The plenary session ‘Investments in the Regions – Investments in the Future’ will be held on 15 February with the participation of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Dmitry Medvedev will also hold a traditional meeting with representatives of business circles on the topic ‘Development of Non-Resource Exports: Objectives and Tools’ and take part in one of the roundtables.

On 16 February, the Prime Minister will hold a meeting with regional leaders.

The session ‘Is There a New Tool That Could Boost the Investment Attractiveness of Russia’s Regions?’ will be held as part of the Forum’s business programme and will focus on promoting the regions at the international level and bringing international events to the regions of the Russian Federation. This could become an important factor in attracting investments for regional development.

The event will also feature the NGO Laboratory – a platform established by the Roscongress Foundation on which charitable foundations and non-profit organizations can present their programmes, events and lectures that aim to develop the social projects sector.

Prior to the Forum on 14 February the Youth Entrepreneurship Day will be held. The event will discuss the role of young entrepreneurs in the economic development of Russia.

The Forum venue will also include an exhibition of investment projects from 41 regions of Russia.

The official car of the Forum is Hyundai Genesis.

As of 30 January, nearly 2000 businessmen, heads of the federal executive authorities (15 ministers and 10 heads of federal services), 77 heads of the regions of the Russian Federation, members of the State Duma (20 participants) and the Federation Council (7 participants) have confirmed their participation in the Forum.

The forum will be attended by representatives of the Russian business community. At present, 718 heads of Russian companies have confirmed they will attend.

In addition, 163 representatives of foreign companies from countries such as Austria, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, the United States, Canada, France, Turkey, and Japan, among others, have confirmed they will participate in the forum.

Companies whose heads of representative offices have confirmed they will attend include: MasterCard, METRO Cash and Carry, Siemens, IKEA, VimpelCom, and McKinsey & Company. Companies whose CEOs have confirmed they will attend include: McDonald's, Renault Russia, and Mercedes-Benz.