OREANDA-NEWS. More than 70 international and about 500 national delegations took part in the St.Petersburg International Economic Forum. Chief executives from many countries and the world's leading business representatives have come to the coast of the Gulf of Finland to discuss prospects of global economy.

One of the key events of the St.Petersburg International Economic Forum was participation of President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel in the plenary session.

According to Head of Karelia Alexander Khudilainen who represented our republic at the Forum, Mr President was absolutely right to make the point that successful implementation of the project whatsoever requires, first of all, change of attitude towards people, business, and managerial decisions.

Within the framework of the Forum Head of the republic had a number of important meetings with heads of federal executive bodies and the management of business structures. In particular, Head of Karelia had a meeting with Alex de Valukhoff, CEO of Lafarge Russian Business Unit. Currently, Lafarge is the basic founder of Karelnerud holding which comprises three Karelia's enterprises producing road metal.

Alexander Khudilainen has also held negotiations with Vladimir Evtushenkov, Chairman of the Board of Sistema JSFC, concerning the company's investments in timber industry of the region. The agreement on cooperation with the Leningrad Region and two more agreements on implementation of projects important to the economy of Karelia amounting to more than 200 billion roubles were signed.