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Jun 6, 2021

SPIEF meet ends

FA News Desk
The 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2021 being held in St. Petersburg of Russia. Photo: VNA
The 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2021 being held in St. Petersburg of Russia. Photo: VNA

Special Guest Qatar Amir lauds SPIEF’s role in global economy

The 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) ends on June 5 (yesterday). It was kicked off in St. Petersburg on June 2.

SPIEF is a unique annual event that Moscow pitches the gathering as the Russian version of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland being held in St. Petersburg since 1997.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani addressing the SPIEF through zoom on June 4, 2021. On screen image © Peter Kovalev/TASS

Various world leaders addressed the meeting. But as this year, Qatar is the forum’s guest country, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani addressing the forum on Friday via zoom during the SPIEF plenary session has said that “the SPIEF has become an important international event which is taking place against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges the economy has faced at local, regional and international levels, and amid the ongoing pandemic with its negative consequences for the global economy,”

“All this boosts the significance of the forum that sets an example for the entire international community when it comes to promoting initiatives that help establish favorable conditions for economic and investment growth,” said the Qatari ruler.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, was hosted in a face-to-face mode with all anti-coronavirus measures in effect.

Each year, tens of thousands of people including major Russian and international companies, heads of state and governments, political leaders and governors from around the world take part. SPIEF was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the SPIEF in Saint Petersburg, Russia on June 4, 2021. Anatoly Maltsev/Pool via REUTERS

This year, according to TASS, nearly 13,000 of which 3000 from 140 nations were from abroad participated, many via zoom, the SPIEF intended to attract foreign investment to Russia, but activity was more subdued this year.

Addressing the SPIEF, Russian President Vladimir Putin said as many people are coming to Russia to get a shot, Russia may provide coronavirus vaccinations for a fee to foreigners who travel to the country,

Moscow seeks to enhance its global reputation with its Sputnik V vaccine which has been approved by 66 nations and is under review both by the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The pace of vaccination in Russia has been slower than in many developed countries. So far only 17 out of 144 million Russians had received at least one dose, sources added.

(Inputs with various sources)

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