Welcome Letters
Maksim Sokolov, Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation
On behalf of the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Transport, I would like to welcome our participants and guests to the 10th Jubilee International Railway Business Forum, the Strategic Partnership 1520.
The Forum’s 10th Jubilee without doubt marks a very important stage in its development. I am certain that from this new starting point, a multitude of ideas and suggestions for the further development of railway transportation in the “1520 space” will follow.
Railway freight plays a very important role in the CIS countries’ and their immediate neighbors’ transportation systems. Railway transportation has taken a leading position in terms of the volume of goods transportation. It fulfils one of the most important social functions, ensuring a link between millions of people in suburban and far-reaching areas.
There is a great deal of responsibility in this sector, as it requires balanced, well thought out actions from all participants of the railway deliveries market, and also demands active work with consumers of transportation services and related infrastructures, in order to attract the best experience and advanced technology.
I am sure that the International Railway Business Forum, the Strategic Partnership 1520, will enable a constructive discussion of the forecasts and priorities for transport development between participants of the transport process, and will also facilitate the progress of international cooperation in the sphere of railway deliveries.
I hope that the participants of the Forum will have effective discussions and fruitful work.
Maxim Sokolov
Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation
