• Start date:  10.06.2024
• End date:  10.06.2024
• RU:  Сессия в рамках Молодежной программы ПМЭФ 2024
• DE:  Sitzung im Rahmen des SPIEF 2024 Jugendprogramms
• Status: Completed

On June 8, 2024, as part of the Youth Program of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), a session titled "Breaking Boundaries: Developing International Connections for Young Entrepreneurs" took place.

One of the speakers at the session was Maria Matveeva, the director of the Russian-Austrian public forum "Sochi Dialogue." The discussion also included representatives from international and Russian organizations: Mohamed Ali Verteni, CEO of the Tunisian-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ahmed Youssef Al-Saeg, representative of Qatar's Ministry of Sports and Youth program "Youth Support Group Ambassadors"; Anna Bessmertnaya, chairwoman of the Russian Federation's Foreign Economic Commission; Daniil Bisslinger, CEO of the Autonomous Nonprofit Organization "World Festival of Youth Directorate"; Stanislav Korolev, director of the National Center for Public Diplomacy; Stanislav Surovtsev, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, Social Work, and International Relations at MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Omar El-Barbari, CEO of OBM Education; and others. The session was moderated by Oleg Makarov, advisor to the head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh).

The key topic of the session was the transformation of Russian business, the issues of expanding the geography of its presence and the development of promising international relations. In their speeches, the speakers highlighted effective measures to support entrepreneurs and the implementation of special projects aimed at entering new markets, the most attractive regions for Russian business, as well as the specifics of business integration between different countries.

Maria Matveeva emphasized the role of international dialogues among civil societies in developing, strengthening, and maintaining business contacts, particularly for young entrepreneurs. The Russian-Austrian Public Forum "Sochi Dialogue" continues to adhere to the principle of openness to cooperation with foreign partners. Among recent events organized by the Forum, Maria Matveeva highlighted the concert of jazz pianist Daniil Kramer in Vienna, held as part of a reception for ambassadors from BRICS+ countries. The concert was opened by young Kazakh singer Aigerim Tutova, a patient of the Austrian company MED-EL, a long-time partner of "Sochi Dialogue." "Here and now, as a Forum for civil societies between Russia and Austria, it is important for us to be open and to invite representatives not only from Russia and Austria but also from other friendly countries to our formats and events," the Forum's director emphasized.

Maria Matveeva also spoke about the successful experience of participation of the Austrian delegation in the World Youth Festival on the federal territory of Sirius in February-March 2024, and emphasised the importance of such formats for young entrepreneurs in terms of forming and developing trusting contacts with foreign colleagues.