OREANDA-NEWS. On March 31, 2008 the workshop "Russia: Regional Development Strategies" co-sponsored by the Government of the Russian Federation and the World Bank  started its work in Moscow, reported the press-centre of World Bank.

It is a milestone in the Bank's strengthening dialogue and partnership with Russia's regions. Earlier in February, the Bank held an upstream World Development Report 2009 roundtable to discuss with leading Russian economists emerging findings on challenges facing regional development all over the world.

Mr. Dmitry Kozak, Minister for Regional Development of the Russian Federation, and Mr. Klaus Rohland, Country Director of the World Bank in Russia, will open the conference with the welcoming remarks. International speakers will also bring perspectives on regional development for comparator countries such as Brazil, China and OECD. Among the key-note speakers are high-level officials from the federal Ministries of Regional Development, Finance, and Economic Development and Trade, as well as heads and representatives of governments for about 15 Russia's regions, as well as representatives of Russia's think-tanks community.

The participants will discuss the regional development issues and outcomes, as well as share their experience in designing development strategies in their respective regions. In the context of the World Bank's efforts to disseminate knowledge on the key aspects of development, the participants will also discuss possible avenues for further enhancing cooperation with the World Bank Group.