OREANDA-NEWS. On 25 May 2009 was announced, that at “Lenexpo” Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov a meeting, devoted to the preparation for the World Grain Forum. The Event will be timed to St. Petersburg World Economic Forum and it will be conducted at “Lenexpo” exhibition complex on June 6-7, 2009.

According to Mr. Zubkov World Grain Forum is being conducted under the initiative of Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, and the idea was also supported by the heads of “G-8” group in Japan in June 2008.

Government of the Russian federation and Ministry of Agriculture organize the event in St. Petersburg; the preparation is done in assistance with the Food and Agriculture organization of the UN, World Bank and European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

Deputy Minister announced that 65 countries had been invited to participate in the Grain Forum and over 40 confirmed their participation.

-Our forum arouses great interest – said Mr. Zubkov.

Heads of agricultural ministries, international organizations, financial institutions, national and international unions of agricultural producers are planning to participate in the event.