The IV international Forum “Transport of Russia” began work on 17 November 2010. Igor Levitin, Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, delivered a report at the plenary session entitled “Transport of Russia: challenges of the economy of the future”.

Sergei Ivanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, read greetings from Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, and addressed the participants in the plenary session. Mr Ivanov noted that Russia’s transport system is one of the leading sectors in the country’s economy.

“One of the priority areas in developing the Russian transport system is to integrate it into the global transport services market and to develop its transit potential,” said Sergei Ivanov. “In view of this a huge emphasis is being placed on introducing modern technologies to support interaction between different types of transport and the creation of optimal logistical routes. By improving this work we shall be able to reduce the proportion of transport expenses in the final costs of Russian produce.”

Mr Ivanov said that one of the key conditions for achieving these goals is the development of transport corridors that run across our territory. He cited as an example the “Europe – Western China” international road route. A Memorandum signed in 2009 between the Transport Ministries of Russia, Kazakhstan and China provides for the construction of this route.

“I believe that we must also make joint efforts to implement projects aimed at developing the transport infrastructure of the three countries,” the deputy prime minister stated.

It will only be possible to successfully fulfil the objectives facing the transport industry if we achieve systematic development of the resource and technical base of transport, apply modern transport and logistics technologies, and raise the level of computerisation of transport processes.

“All this implies the need to develop the transport system in accordance with the innovative scenario which is specified in our strategic and federal programmes defining the long-term development trends of the Russian Federation,” Mr Ivanov stated.

Siim Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission, drew attention in his speech to the need to attract private capital to implement transport projects. “We must do more to involve private capital and create the right conditions for attracting investment in the transport sphere, and this means we must talk about fair tariffs,” he said.

S. Kallas called on those present to do their best to reduce bureaucratic hold-ups in their work. In his opinion, political decisions should not lead to the cancellation of economic ones, for at least 30 years. S. Kallas noted that in relations between the EU and Russia in the area of transport there was a wide range of subjects for discussion and development. He cited as an example the positive achievements in sea transport, especially in the field of state port control and cooperation with regard to exchanging data on monitoring of ships. In conclusion S. Kallas emphasised that work aimed at seeking solutions with neighbouring countries and at the global level and the elimination of barriers benefits everyone. “Economic isolation works out expensive. Honest competition is beneficial for everyone,” stated the Vice President of the European Commission.

The programme of the IV international Forum “Transport of Russia” included the signing of an agreement between the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), part of the World Bank group, and the state-owned company Russian Highways (Avtodor). The document was signed on behalf of the IBRD by Pedro Alba, Director and Permanent Representative in Russia, and on behalf of Avtodor by Sergei Kostin, Chairman of the company’s board.

The aim of the agreement is to establish a strategic and business partnership in the field of investment activity and to create opportunities for developing it further through the two parties’ implementation of projects in the road industry.

“Cooperation with the IBRD will enable us to implement road construction projects using public–private partnership mechanisms. For example, sections of the M1 road and the Odintsovo bypass,” explained Sergei Kostin. Pedro Alba added that the IBRD is ready to help in the implementation of Avtodor investment projects.

On the same day at the forum Avtodor and TNK-BP signed a cooperation agreement aimed at developing Russia’s transport infrastructure, introducing innovative technologies in the road industry, and raising the service quality and safety standards on main highways.

The document was signed on behalf of Avtodor by Sergei Kostin, Chairman of the company’s board, and on behalf on TNK-BP by Amir Feyzulin, Vice President, Marketing, and Dmitry Ustinov, Vice President, Business, Marketing and New Business Development.

“TNK-BP’s experience will enable us to substantially improve our work in introducing high-quality innovative materials into road construction and will promote the development of roadside services,” said Sergei Kostin.

“TNK-BP’s materials are one of the company’s innovative products using high-quality types of Alphabit bitumen with polymer additives which make it possible to increase the service life of roads and reduce repair costs. The company’s plans include tendering for six sectors of construction of the M1 with possible investment in the construction project in the order of 1 billion roubles,” reported Amir Feyzulin, TNK-BP’s Vice President, Marketing.

Dmitry Ustinov, Vice President, Business, Marketing and New Business Development, explained that the company’s plans include modernising roadside infrastructure and developing roadside services, in particular building multi-functional filling station complexes.