OREANDA-NEWS. On 01 June 2009 was announced, that a scheduled meeting of Economic Forum’s organization committee was held on May 23, 2009. The forum event will take place on June 4-6, 2009 at “Lenexpo” fairgrounds.

Elvira Nabiullina, head of the Russian Ministry of economic development, ran the meeting. Also it was attended by Ilya Klyebanov, RF President’s plenipotentiary in the North-West region , Valentina Matvienko, governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Vahmistrov, head of governor’s administration, and Michael Oseevsky, vice-governor.

After the meeting Elvira Nabiullina and Valentina Matvienko officially announced to journalists that everything was ready for the Economic forum in St. Petersburg. Its’ detailed program can be found at , which is an official forum site.

-Economy crises has not affected forum preparations in any way- stressed Valentina Matvienko. – It will also have no impact on its’ representation.

- Forum program has already been planned completely. And we do hope that all forum participants will find convenient work conditions here in St. Petersburg. Over 2 000 people have already confirmed their participation in the event; there are business leaders, heads of governments, ministries, scientific centers from all over the world, – said Elvira Nabiullina.

This year forum expects more government representatives from different countries than there were in previous years. St. Petersburg citizens and guests will receive a present on June 4, 2009: there will be some cultural event at the Palace Square which will contain interesting performances and even some premiers.

Elvira Nabiullina also said that this forum would pay a lot of attention to the problems of small and medium businesses. There is a program developed to support the entrepreneurs with small and medium businesses to open new companies, especially in the sphere of innovation. The minister believes that innovation sphere has great importance for St. Petersburg.

Valentina Matvienko thanked the Ministry of economic development which aims to support these businesses. Due to this help our city has the chance to increase its’ own support for the small and medium businesses. At present there are 17 supporting programs working in St. Petersburg, and after the document is signed at the Forum there will be the 18th one. And around 700 entrepreneurs will be able to receive 300 thousand rubles to start and develop a new business. The program details will be released soon at the Economic Forum.