OREANDA-NEWS. The 4th International Railway Business Forum "Strategic Partnership 1520" – the biggest event in the railway calendar – will be held in Sochi from 27 to 29 May with the support of Russian Railways, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

RZD’s delegation to the event will be led by the company’s CEO Vladimir Yakunin.

The forum will bring together government and business representatives from Russia, Europe and Asia.

The Forum’s key theme for 2009 is "The Era of the Client in the Railway Business: Challenges and Opportunities".

It will also feature panel discussions entitled:

"The Era of the Client and New Business Challenges: Changing to Become a Leader";

"Asia – Space 1520 - Europe: Opportunities, Projects, Solutions.

In addition, the chief engineers of the national railway administrations of the Space 1520 countries and government representatives responsible for transport, technical regulation, standardization and certification will discuss how to standardize technical regulation of the rail transport sector throughout Space 1520.

It is anticipated that a number of major agreements will be signed between Russian and foreign companies during the forum.