OREANDA-NEWS. January 21, 2013. Alexei Mordashov, Chief Executive of OAO Severstal, one of the world’s leading steel and steel-related mining companies, participated in a panel discussion at the 2013 Gaidar Forum  entitled Russia and the World: Challenges to Integration.

The discussion focused on emerging global economic trends, the opportunities and challenges associated with Russia’s admission to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the prospect of more Russian companies  becoming competitive, truly global players.

Mr. Mordashov highlighted that other countries’ have experienced accelerated economic growth following their admissions to the WTO and commented that Russia has “ joined the WTO, firstly, to promote our goods and services on the world market and, secondly, to create a more stable and favorable investment climate in Russia.”

Alexei Mordashov also stated that further liberalization of the Russian economy is crucial to its development. He said that taking firm measures to create a climate in Russia where “truly competitive producers capable of developing our economy” flourish will “materially improve the well-being of Russian people.” 

According to Severstal’s CEO, Russia is facing challenges associated with removing barriers to the promotion of goods and services related to customs activities.

The following people also took part in the panel discussion: Director-General of the WTO Pascal Lamy, RF Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, RF Minister Mikhail Abyzov, Chairman of the Management Board & CEO of Sberbank of Russia German Gref, Head of the Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin, Chairman of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission Viktor Khristenko, and Director for the Global Indicators and Analysis Department, World Bank, Augusto Lopez-Claros. Chairman of the Board of ОАО ROSNANO Anatoly Chubais and General Director of FC Otkrytiye Ruben Aganbegyan acted as moderators.