OREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2010. As part of the 9th Sochi-2010 International Investment Forum under the auspices of the Russian-Italian Forum-Dialogue within the framework of civil societies a round-table discussion "Russian-Italian Cooperation in Modernizing the economy and Creating Foundations for High-Technology Economy in the Russian Federation” was held at Vnesheconombank. The round-table discussion was organized by Vnesheconombank.

Vnesheconombank Chairman and Co-Chair of the Russian-Italian Forum Dialogue within the framework of civil societies Vladimir Dmitriev acted as a moderator of the round-table discussion.

The Round-table discussion’s participants discussed main aspects of Russian-Italian cooperation, issues of modernization in various economic sectors, prospects for the Russian economy’s innovative development with the help of Italian investments. The participants placed special emphasis on Russian special economic zones’ innovative potential for Italian business, increased cooperation in airport operations, small and medium-sized enterprises’ contribution to modernization, as well on modernizing the economy and creating foundations for high-technology economy in the Russian Federation, modernizing the construction sector with the use of public private partnership mechanisms.

In attendance of the round-table discussion from the Russian side were: Governor of the Kaluga region Anatoly Artamonov, Director General of OJSC Special Economic Zones Igor Kosov, First Deputy Director General of OJSC Sheremetjevo International Airport Valery Kazikaev, Sinara Group Director General Mikhail Khodorovsky.

Among the Italian speakers were: President of Todini Cosruzioni Generali S.p.A, Co-Chair of the Russian-Italian Forum-Dialogue within the framework of civil societies Louisa Todini, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the Russian Federation Vittorio Surdo, President of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce Alessandrello Rozario, Head of Finmeccanica’s Representative Office in Russia Giuseppe Antonio Fortunatto, President of iGuzzini Illuminazione Adolfo Guzzini.

The Russian-Italian Forum-Dialogue within the framework of civil societies was established in 2004 on Vladimir Putin’s and Silvio Berlusconi’s initiative. The Forum aims to form new promising lines of cooperation, develop an infrastructure of bilateral relations at a nongovernmental level in economy, science and education, cultural and humanitarian ties within the framework of nongovernmental and voluntary organizations. Since 2004, more than 100 business and cultural events were organized within the Forum-Dialogue in various Russian and Italian cities. In late 2009, Vnesheconombank Chairman Vladimir Dmitriev became Co-Chair of the Forum-Dialogue from the Russian side. At present Vnesheconombank is acting as The Forum-Dialogue’s organizing committee from the Russian side.