Some 80 top CEOs from the World Economic Forum’s Member companies held a series of private meetings with the new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and key ministers at the Russia CEO Roundtable held 6-8 June in St Petersburg, Russia. This first meeting of President Medvedev with the international business community came exactly one month after his inauguration.

"Everybody came away deeply impressed with the president’s keen knowledge of the business challenges and the opportunities that are present in Russia, and also his willingness to have an open and transparent dialogue", said Muhtar A. Kent, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Coca-Cola Company after the private meeting with the president. "The businessmen raised two issues to be addressed: issue number one was the need for a more transparent legal and judicial system, and the second was infrastructure. Russia will become choked at this rate of development if major investments are not embarked upon now," he added.

The CEOs from the World Economic Forum also met privately with Igor Shuvalov, First Deputy Prime Minister, and Elvira Nabiullina, Minister of Economic Development, to discuss how Russia’s strong economic performance can be coupled with a continuing commitment to reforms.

The World Economic Forum has issued an official invitation to the new Russian President to open the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2009 in Davos from 28 January – 1 February. This invitation was welcomed by the CEOs participating who wish to continue the dialogue with the Russian authorities. Read more I Watch the webcast
 
Co-Chairs
- Muhtar A. Kent, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Coca-Cola Company, USA

Contact
For more information about the World Economic Forum Russia CEO Roundtable, please contact:
Russia@weforum.org