VIII International Conference "Transport Service Market: cooperation and partnership" December 7-8, 2010, "President Hotel", Moscow

Key conference topic 2010: "Reform: the Completion Phase. Single Market, Single Infrastructure, Common Interests"

Vladimir Yakunin
President of the JSC «Russian Railways»

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of the board of Russian Railways and myself personally I send greetings to the participants and guests of the VIII International Conference "Transport Services Market: Cooperation and Partnership".

Rail transport, as a strategic industry, has a decisive influence on the economic and social situation in the country. On the one hand this spurs the industry on to make changes, and on the other hand places on it a very great responsibility, causing it to weigh each step in this process.

This year we have arrived at the concluding stage of structural reform in rail transport. The results that have been achieved inspire confidence that the main strategies in this were chosen correctly. According to international experts, the Russian experience is an example of carrying out successful reforms in rail transport and creating a developed competitive market for rail transportation.

Thanks to investment in the industry’s infrastructure there has been a substantial change in the model of providing transport services for the country's economy, and a secure foundation has been established for developing the logistics market and increasing the quality of services.

The International Conference "Transport Services Market: Cooperation and Partnership" is one of the key industry platforms for exchanging experience and assessing the results of the reforms.
I wish the participants in the conference fruitful work, constructive ideas and proposals, useful business contacts and success in addressing the most important issues!

President of the JSC «Russian Railways»  Vladimir Yakunin