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RUSSIA - FRANCE
I
n 2018, the Saint Petersburg Forum,
which is often seen as the ‘Russian
Davos’, once more brought together
political leaders and representatives
fromcompanies fromall over the world.
The general topic of the 2018 edition
was to ‘build up an economy of trust’.
It was also an occasion for discussing
the opportunities of the Russian mar-
ket and the potential of its economy.
There weremore than eighty-six events;
working sessions, round tables, busi-
ness meetings and televised debates.
The events were based on four main
themes: the world economy in times
of change, Russia’s growth potential,
human capital in the digital economy
and technology.
France had built an exhibition hall on
the site, with a presentation area and
a business area, enabling foreign
delegations to talk with French
business leaders. There was a major
delegation of business leaders that
was led by Pierre Gattaz, the
President of the French Employer
Federation (Medef) and Frédéric
Sanchez, the President of Medef
International, including Patrick
Pouyanné (Total), Isabelle Kocher
(Engie), Frédéric Oudéa (Société
Générale) and Emmanuel Faber
(Danone), to only mention a few
(1)
.
France is positioned as an essential
trading partner
If this was an opportunity to streng-
then diplomatic ties between Paris
and Moscow, French companies also
signed many contracts with Russian
companies. France is a major trading
partner of Russia and is also the
number one foreign employer in the
country. Emmanuel Macron, the
French President wanted to send a
clear message by going to the Saint
Petersburg Economic Forum: France
wants to continue to do business
in Russia despite the diplomatic
tensions in recent years. ‘
Eight French Tech start-ups accom-
panied the President of France
during his visits. There were four
companies that were winners of
the FrenchTechTour Russia 2018,
Partnering Robotics, Paytweak,
Rent2Search and 3D Rudder; two
companies that already have activi-
ties in Russia, Kameleoon and
Generix; and two companies that are
benefitting from customized support,
Famoco and Ippon technologies.
Their heads met the representatives
of certain leading French companies,
as well as representatives from
Russian companies
(2)
.
‘We must give clear support for the
Franco-Russian strategic project
and strengthen our cooperation,
supporting the diversification of the
Russian economy and developing it in
new sectors that will be the growth
drivers of tomorrow, such as new
mobilities, the city, health, urban
transport and digital technology. We
must do it in a difficult context, as we
know, but we must be able to overco-
me the difficulties’,
said Emmanuel
Macron
(3)
. A few weeks later there
was a fresh impetus to closer
Franco-Russian ties with the French
victory in the Football World Cup and
another visit of Emmanuel Macron to
Russia.
The twenty-second edition of the Saint Petersburg Forum (SPIEF), from24 to 26August 2018, brought
together several thousand participants. The guest of honour of the Russian President Vladimir Putin
was Emmanuel Macron, the President of France.
Paris and Moscow strengthen
their ties
Source:
(1): Le Monde
(2): Website of the French Embassy in Moscow
(3): Extract from the speech of the President of France to the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg.
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French Tech fosters the image of France in Russia.
