BRIC+ Study Tour Russia

Russia, too, has an abundance of natural resources. In 2009, it was the world’s largest exporter of natural gas, the second largest exporter of oil, and the third largest exporter of steel and primary aluminum. However, Russia suffered badly in the Global Financial Crisis. The economic decline appeared to bottom out in mid-2009 and by the second half of the year, there were signs that the economy was growing. Growth increased in 2010, with the World Bank predicting 5-5.5% growth for the year. Russia is now the world’s 12th largest economy by nominal value (seventh largest by purchasing power parity).

Economy – The Russian economy was one of the hardest hit by the 2008-09 Global Financial Crisis. We learn why, and the measures taken by Russia’s Central Bank of Russia to turn things around, and key constraints and challenges ahead.

Business – Economic reforms in the 1990s privatised most Russian industry, but left equity ownership highly concentrated. Key challenges include a shrinking workforce, corruption, and poor infrastructure. We meet with business leaders to understand how business gets done in Russia.

Investment – Despite its challenges, Russia offers many investment opportunities. We learn about these and the risks, from local experts who work within the Russian investment markets.

Society – Since the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russians have lived through poverty and hardship in the early years, followed by volatility in the late 1990s, to increasing wealth in the early to mid 2000s, and back through an economic downturn in 2008/2009. Local experts help us understand the resulting socio-economic issues and political system. The Russian Federation is a presidential system with a bicameral parliament. Yet most Westerners perceive that Vladimir Putin, past President and now Prime Minister, runs the country. We learn the true story about Russia’s politics.

“There is no shame in not knowing;

the shame lies in not finding out.”

Russian Proverb

Russia at a glance

Form of government FederationTotal area 17.1m sq kmPopulation (2011 est) 138.7 mGDP (PPP, 2010 est) USD 2.22 tnGDP rank 7GDP per capita (2010 est) USD 15,900Inflation (2010 est) 6.7%Unemployment (2010 est) 7.6%Life expectancy at birth (2009) 66.2 yrsPoverty (% of population, 2009) 11.1%% of GDP (2010 est)- Agriculture 4.2%- Services 62.0%- Industry 33.8% 19

BRIC+ Study Tour Russia

Our BRIC+ Study Tour Russia begins on Sunday in Moscow, Russia’s political and business capital and most populous city. After an orientation briefing on our week’s program, we spend a day exploring Moscow, including Red Square, iconic St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s tomb, the changing of the guard at the Kremlin, and the historic Arbat district.

On Monday, we have a day of back-to-back investment briefings on the economy and business environment as well as backgrounders on Russia’s equity, debt and financial services markets. As always, we finish the day with a networking reception where we meet local Russian business executives, as well as Australian executives living and working in Moscow.

On Tuesday, we’re out and about in Moscow, for two investment case studies. On Tuesday evening, we fly to historic St Petersburg, known as the Venice of the North.

On Wednesday, we up bright and early and on the bus to head to our third investment case study. This is followed by two in-depth briefings on Russia’s society with our Russian elder statesman (“Uchitel”). That afternoon, we take a tour of St Petersburg by canal boat, passing the Winter Palace and the Peter and Paul Fortress, before an early dinner and free evening to explore Russia’s cultural capital.

On Thursday morning, we fly back to Moscow and head out to our fourth investment case study. That evening, we have a networking dinner with local financial services executives.

On Friday morning, we’re away early to our last investment case study. Over lunch, we have our Key Takeouts workshop to ensure you have a clear picture of the group’s and your key takeouts from the Study Tour to communicate with your clients and colleagues and ultimately influence the way you build investment portfolios.

On Friday afternoon, we don our walking shoes and explore the Moscow Kremlin, the city’s most famous historical and political landmark, former residence of the Tsars, and now residence of the President of Russia. In the evening, we have our farewell dinner at one of Moscow’s best restaurants.

Investment case studies – a selection of 5 from:- Agriculture - Consumer Goods & Services - Infrastructure (energy, roads, ports, airports)- Real Estate (residential, commercial, industrial)- Resources (oil, gas, mining, renewable)- Technology- Tourism

For dates and more info, email mail@BRICplus.net21