Saint Petersburg's authorities prefer to call the forum a "Second Davos", and all official press released stress the event's global importance. Many officials and political scientists have a special reason to hold their breath - Dmitry Medvedev, sworn in as Russia's new leader a month ago, may, for the first time, present his program of the country's economic development.
IEF is also a place where many international contracts are signed (during last years event' there were investment agreements concluded worth $ 13.5 bn.)
According to Elvira Nabiullina, the minister for economic development and chairwoman of the forum's steering committee, there will be 120 official delegations from countries around the world participating, as well as about 1,000 business representatives from Russia and abroad. Overall, about 7 to 8 thousand people will participate.
Saint Petersburg is preparing to greet the guests, and works have not stopped in the city even at nighttime - laying new asphalt on roads, building new fountains and planting a million tulips at Lenexpo exhibition area that will host the IEF.
Shops and restaurants in the areas neighboring Lenexpo have been instructed not to open this weekend. All the kiosks selling illegal CD and DVD copies have been swept out from Vassilyevsky Island, where Lenexpo is situated.
As the exposition center is situated on the bank, participants will be able to travel around the city by the many motorboats provided by organizers. Roman Abramovich's famous yacht is said to have already dropped anchor in the city.
The guests will also be entertained by Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, who will play his The Dark Side of the Moon show at Saint Petersburg's central square, as well as many classical concerts, ballets and operas.
13,000 policemen and 1,500 military personnel will b deployed in the city to provide security.
Aleksey Klepikov
http://eng.expert.ru
