Business events

As part of the XIV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Troika Dialog and Standard Bank host the session "Africa Investment Revival" addressing partnership prospects between the BRIC countries and African nations.

According to 2009 data, the African continent accounts for 9.5% of the world’s proven oil reserves; 8.2% of gas reserves; 15.7% of total world oil exports; 60% of the world’s diamond reserves; 40% of total gold reserves and approximately 13% of the world's arable land. The population of Africa totals approximately 1 billion people, a figure projected to double by 2050. Meanwhile, aggregate GDP in Africa totals $1446 billion, 4.0% of the world total by purchasing power parity.

Over the past several years, the BRIC countries – Russia especially – have pursued a more active engagement with African countries. In particular, from 1993 to 2008, BRIC’s share in African foreign trade increased from 4.6% to more than 19%; from 1998 to 2008 the BRIC countries increased their share of exports to African countries from 7.9% to 18.5%; while from 2003 to 2009 the BRIC countries represented the fourth largest investor region in Africa following Europe, the Middle East and North America.

As part of the session "Africa Investment Revival," the session speakers – top executives of leading Russian and international companies – discuss the strategic business opportunities available to the BRIC countries in Africa; the most promising sectors in Africa's economy from an investment standpoint; opportunities and risks of realizing joint projects and other important questions. Session participants also receive copies of the research materials "Russia and Africa: Resetting Relations," prepared by the Troika Dialog and Standard Bank Research departments. Moderating the session will be Managing Director at Troika Dialog Andrei Sharonov.

Representing Troika Dialog at the XIV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is a delegation of the company's experts and top managers including Chairman of the Board of Directors at Troika Dialog Ruben Vardanian, Managing Director at Troika Dialog Anton Rakhmanov, Chief Business Officer at Troika Dialog Jacques Der Megreditchian, Head of Global Markets Peter Ghavami and Chief Strategist Kingsmill Bond.

Information about SPIEF:

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, known as the "Russian Davos," is the top economic summit in Russia and the CIS. An annual event since 1997, the St. Petersburg forum is held every June in Russia's northern capital. Included in the forum are numerous plenary sessions, round tables, exhibits, presentations of investment projects, business meetings and conferences between presidents and prime ministers of various countries, heads and representatives of international organizations as well as businessmen, experts, scholars and community activists. The 2010 forum will be attended by a projected body of more than 2000 delegates. Following a 2006 directive by the Russian Federation President, the Ministry of Economic Development every year acts as the forum organizer.

• www.forumspb.com