OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2011. The Forum Strategic Partnership 1520 in Sochi is a regular event which provides a platform for leaders in the rail business across the Eurasian broad-gauge space to discuss the latest issues and trends, reported the press-centre of RZD.

The Forum brings together over 1,000 delegates annually, including senior figures from national railway companies, private rail operators, freight owners, manufacturers of rail equipment and technology and representatives from public authorities, international organisations and financial institutions from Russia, Europe and other countries.

Also expected to attend this year are Peter Ramsauer, Germany’s Minister of Transport, and Siim Kallas, European Commissioner for Transport.

This year, the Forum has in addition organised a Council of Independent Directors composed of business experts not directly linked to the rail sector in order to gain an impartial assessment of the discussions.

The focus of this year’s Forum is strategic cooperation between the 1520 broad-gauge and 1435 narrow-gauge rail systems.

Russian Railways, Siemens and Deutsche Bahn are the Forum’s key partners.

The Forum is being organised by Business Dialogue and will address topical issues in the Euro-Asian railway business, such as attracting investment, creating effective systems of corporate governance, the role of human resource development, priorities in developing high-speed connections and upgrading existing stations.

For further information, please contact Business Dialogue at +7 (495) 988-28-03 or see the event website at http://forum1520.ru/?lang=en