Within the framework of a press junket organized by the Moscow Government for the media, the 3rd International Forum “It’s Time for Moscow” opened at the World Trade Center today for members of the international journalistic community.
The first day of the forum brought to Moscow more than 60 reporters of the world’s leading media, including journalists from China, France, the U.S., Canada, Germany, Switzerland and many other countries. The agenda included issues related to government support of Russian compatriots living abroad, creation of a single Russian-language informational space and building Moscow’s positive image.

The first plenary meeting was opened by Sergei Cheremin, a minister of the Moscow Government and head of the Department of External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, who passed the welcoming address of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin to the forum attendees, and by Vadim Subbotin, Deputy General Director of the World Trade Center. The event was moderated by Andrei Levchenko, an anchorman of RBC-TV.

Sergei Cheremin spoke about the economic and investment potential of Moscow and pinpointed projects of the Moscow Government aiming at improvement of the city environment, including more than 100 kilometers of pedestrian areas built over the past few years. “Notwithstanding some economic difficulties, Moscow does not cut the amount of investments in the social sector. After the devaluation, the Moscow budget has lost considerably, but it still is one of the biggest in the world and exceeds 26 bln euros. About 60% of those funds are allocated on development of the social sector and building a favorable environment for the Muscovites,” said the minister emphasizing his point.
Vadim Subbotin, Deputy General Director of the World Trade Center, drew the audience’s attention to the Center’s role in the enhancement of Moscow’s investment appeal. “The WTC is not just a unique business complex; it’s also an important expert center in international trade and promotion of international cooperation. Those areas are an important part of investment processes. The WTC is part of a wide network of World Trade Centers located in key economic and political points across the globe, and that potential is widely used, including cooperation with the government».

Among joint projects, he mentioned a business mission in Taiwan organized by the WTC in conjunction with the City Agency of Investment Management, and a meeting with Mumbai industry associations hosted by the WTC, in which Mr. Cheremin, a minister of the Moscow government, also took part. At the meeting which took place in the summer of 2015 concrete issues related to the participation of Moscow suppliers in the trade and projects to ensure India’s food security were discussed.

“The WTC is ready to serve those who are going to promote business cooperation with Moscow,” concluded Vadim Subbotin.
The forum, now in its third installment, aimed at describing for the international reporters the strategy of the Moscow Government in social and economic development of the city and improvement of the business climate in the capital city.