Baikal Economic Forum to focus on better living standards.

IRKUTSK (Itar-Tass) - Legislative support for realizing
potential of the regions in Siberia and the Far East will be high on the
agenda of the Baikal International Economic Forum that opens in Irkutsk on
Monday.
The conference organized under the aegis of the Federation Council
will for the seventh time bring together parliamentarians, high-ranking
officials and business leaders.
Among the forum's high-level speakers will be Regional Development
Minister Viktor Basargin, Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko, Russian Railways
Company President Vladimir Yakunin and Mass Communications Minister Igor
Shchegolev.
The forum will end on September 14. It will coincide with celebrations
of the 350th anniversary of Irkutsk.
Traditionally, the forum's agenda focuses on problems of development
of Russia's eastern territories and prospects for cooperation with
countries of the Asia-Pacific Region. In particular, delegates will
discuss "modernization of the forestry and agricultural complexes, the
transport infrastructure, energy saving and energy efficient technologies
and environmental protection," Federation Council deputy speaker
Vyacheslav Shtyrov said.
At the same time the main task of a high-powered delegation of the
upper house of Russian parliament is to find out legislative gaps
hampering development of Siberia and the Far East. Senators will be first
of all interested "in legislative aspects, i.e. in what laws should be
adopted and what amendments should be submitted to the federal and
regional legislations to improve the situation in the economic and social
sectors," he said.
At the same time parliamentarians seek "concrete practical results -
the creation of new legislative initiatives aimed at improving living
standards in all Russian regions," Shtyrov said.
He noted that "many proposals contained in materials of the previous
forums were taken into consideration while working on the state budget and
other important socio-economic documents."
In general, the Federation Council attaches great importance to the
Irkutsk discussion platform assessing this forum as an addition to the St.
Petersburg Economic Forum.
"Irkutsk hosts presentations of large-scale projects and a sincere and
constructive dialogue between the government and businesses on the
problems of improving living standards, attracting investments and
developing public-private partnership and international relations," the
parliamentarian said.
"The region's production potential is being strengthened and a special
tourist and recreation zone that will help to demonstrate beauty of Lake
Baikal to guests and residents of the region is being created," the deputy
speaker said. "Thus, the Irkutsk region is increasing its status both
inside the country and at the international level."