Welcome Letters
Vladimir Yakunin, Russian Railways
Dear colleagues, this year the International Rail Business Forum "1520 Strategic Partnership" celebrates its tenth anniversary.
Such a significant date is an important milestone that testifies to the forum's popularity among all the participants of the railway market, both in the broad gauge railway domain and beyond. Our partners and friends - Deutsche Bahn AG, Siemens, Alstom, Talgo and other major players in the industry - traditionally become Forum participants.
The first landmark anniversary of the Business Forum coincides with a crucial and difficult time. Economic challenges of today require particular cohesion among railway experts and a strong commitment to unconventional and fundamental decision-making. Our future is based on the partnership and cross-sector integration.
Priority tasks identified by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for the country's economic and geopolitical development encompass unlocking the eastern territories' potential, upgrading the industrial base in Siberia and the Far East and accelerating their development pace. In order to fully meet these objectives JSC Russian Railways will put forth each and every effort to implement Russia's largest national cross-sector project - the Eastern Operational Domain program, which envisages modernization of the railway infrastructure of the Baikal-Amur Railway Line and the Trans-Siberian Railway Line.
The current Forum is held on the threshold of an important event for the industry - the Third Railway Congress, which will take place in October. I am confident that the results of the Forum will make an essential contribution to the content of the Congress.
Esteemed colleagues, I invite you to take active part in the 10th International Rail Business Forum "1520 Strategic Partnership". I wish you to find new fruitful meetings, have productive discussions and endorse an aspiration for cooperation.
Vladimir Yakunin
President
Russian Railways
