Latest news with #InternationalEconomicForum2025
Memri
03-07-2025
- Business
- Memri
Afghan Taliban Aims To Help Russia's Labor Crisis
Moscow is increasing its cooperation with rogue states and regimes, against a background of confrontation with the West. In a move marking a significant geopolitical and domestic policy shift, Russia has officially suspended its ban on engaging with the Afghan Taliban, drawing closer to cooperation with Afghan authorities. One motive for this growing cooperation is to offset Russia's labor shortage with Afghan workers. However, this policy of the Kremlin's does not find favor among patriotic and nationalist groups, especially given growing interethnic tensions. On April 17, 2025, Russia's Supreme Court suspended the country's ban on Taliban activities in Russia. The decision came into force on May 26, and was quickly followed by a gathering on June 18-21, when a delegation from the Taliban movement attended the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025 (SPIEF). The official delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attends the SPIEF-2025, St, Petersburg. (Source: Kirill Zykov / RIA Novosti via Parlamentskaya Gazeta media).[1] After the conference, the head of the Russian Business Centre in Afghanistan, Rustam Khabibullin, in an interview with Baza media, stated that the Taliban delegation had agreed at the forum to bring 1,000 Afghan workers to regions in Russia.[2] According to Baza, one hundred Afghan citizens were already working at construction sites in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Tatarstan. Khabibullin noted that the majority of such workers are "installers, welders, painters, electricians and other highly qualified specialists." It's expected that the new group of Afghan workers will be employed in Chechnya, Dagestan, and Krasnodar Krai. In addition, Khabibullin stated that "a group of construction specialists from Afghanistan" will be deployed in the "liberated Russian territories - DPR and LPR."[3] The Head of the Russian Business Centre asserted that Afghan construction specialists would be tasked with "clearing the territory and restoring infrastructure." "There is a great need for Afghan specialists in Russia," concluded Rustam Khabibullin.[4] Indeed, Russia is experiencing a severe labor shortage, exacerbated by a difficult demographic situation, ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, and growing social tensions towards migrants. By the end of 2024, according to Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, the shortage of qualified personnel in Russia had reached 1.5 million people (relying on data from Russia's Labour Ministry). The greatest demand is in construction, transportation, housing, and the communal services sectors.[5] At the same time, Rosstat[6] assessed the general labor shortage indicator at 2.2 million people.[7] With these numbers in mind, several specialists interviewed by Kavkazskii Uzel media assessed the news about the possible arrival of 1,000 Afghan workers as a purely political gesture indicating Moscow's new disposition towards Kabul.[8] For instance, political scientist Denga Khalidov noted that Russia is simply making "a soft diplomatic step towards Afghanistan," demonstrating its readiness for cooperation. "I doubt that a thousand workers from Afghanistan can solve the shortage of construction workers in Russia," concluded the political scientist.[9] Professor of the Department of Economic and Social Geography of Russia at Moscow State University Natalia Zubarevich agrees: "This is a drop in the ocean. Here are the numbers: last year 47,000 foreign specialists were attracted to Russia. In total, we have 72 million people employed (in the economic sector) – I'm talking about the skilled labour force." According to the professor, Chechnya and Dagestan alone require a greater number of workers than those arriving from Afghanistan.[10] The official delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan at SPIEF-2025, St, Petersburg. (Source Maxim Bogodvid/RIA Novosti, via media).[11] This is happening against a backdrop of growing social tensions towards foreign workers and an unprecedented tightening of immigration laws in Russia. For instance, according to the Levada polling agency report of May 16, 2025, two thirds of respondents (66%) believe that migrants increase the crime rate; more than half stated that migrants take jobs from Russians (56%); every second respondent thinks that migrants "destroy" Russian culture (52%); every other respondent disagreed with a statement that migrants in general contribute to the development of the Russian economy (51%). Most respondents believe that the Russian government should limit the influx of immigrants (70%).[12] Thus, news about the arrival of specialists from Afghanistan caused discontent in patriotic groups. For example, the largest nationalist organization in the country, the "Russian Community," via its Telegram account, wondered how many of these Afghan workers took part in hostilities in their own country and "overthrew the existing legitimate regime there," or were involved in terrorist and sabotage activities. "It's not clear in what way the Afghan laborers are better than the local workers and why such a need vise of the people's friendship continues to squeeze Russia with its steel spikes," concluded the group.[13] The post attracted over 7,000 views. The fascist and monarchist "Sons of Monarchy" Telegram channel managed by Russian nationalist Roman Antonovski, agreed: "Russia needs Afghan migrants even less than Tajik ones. They are even deported from Iran and Pakistan. Perhaps we should consider the negative experience of these countries, which have faced the fact that [streams of] Afghan migrants and refugees are swarmed with criminals, Islamists and saboteurs?" The post gathered more than 12,000 views.[14] In yet another post dedicated to the issue, Antonovski predicted that Afghan migrants would become an even bigger problem for Russia than Tajik ones, dubbing the initiative "suicide, sabotage, and provocation."[15] Another voice came from the neo-Nazi "NSN - Sector Rus," which greatly exaggerated the news, writing about a "massive influx of migrant workers from Afghanistan."[16] In turn, a corresponding post by the xenophobic "Manynational" Telegram channel gathered an absolute majority of negative and indignant reactions, with more than 166,000 views. A screenshot by the xenophobic and nationalist "Manynational" Telegram channel dedicated to the Taliban delegation's visit to the SPIEF-2025. The overwhelming majority of users left mocking, angry or indignant reactions to the news that Afghan workers would be invited to Russia. (Source: Telegram Manynational).[17] Objective measures of the Russian economy indicate that an influx of foreign labor is required. Yet many patriotic groups, amid rising nationalism and worsening interethnic relations, oppose foreign workers on Russian soil. It is safe to assume that antagonism to the state policy in this sphere by nationalist groups will only grow.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Russia forum spurs talks
A Thai trade representative visited St Petersburg last month to strengthen economic ties between Thailand and Russia, while also attempting to revive negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Thai representative Umesh Pandey attended the St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025, held from June 18 to 21, according to a statement from the Thai trade team. At the forum, Mr Umesh spoke with senior Russian officials, including the deputy trade minister and the deputy economic development minister. Discussions focused on the issue of suspended Thai exports, including animal feed and canned tuna, as well as the need to improve cross-border payment systems that have been hindering tourism and commerce. Russian officials agreed to review the trade restrictions and explore direct talks between agencies. Mr Umesh also met with the economic development minister, who leads Russia's EAEU FTA negotiations, and urged Russia to support resuming talks with Thailand. The Russian side expressed willingness to assist in encouraging other EAEU members to return to negotiations. From meetings with the Russian-Thai Chamber of Commerce and business leaders, Mr Umesh said Russian firms showed interest in partnering with Thai companies in pharmaceuticals, banking, hospitality, and ICT, according to the statement. Mr Umesh noted that the main barrier to business expansion remains limited financial transaction channels. He called on both governments to prioritise resolving this issue.
Business Upturn
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Energy Without Illusions: Igor Sechin on the New Landscape of Global Energy
The energy of the future, the challenges of the digital revolution, and the role of nuclear power were the central themes of Igor Sechin's address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025. The CEO of Rosneft Oil Company, head of one of Russia's largest companies, denounced the 'net-zero' concept as an energy regression, underscored the special importance of electricity in the age of AI, predicted that China would emerge as the new global energy leader, and highlighted Russia's potential to develop a balanced new-energy mix. China: From Consumer to Exporter In his report, 'An Odyssey of the World Economy in Search of the Golden Fleece: The New Landscape of Global Energy,' Igor Sechin placed particular emphasis on China's role in tomorrow's energy sector. According to him, the PRC is no longer merely safeguarding its own energy security; it is confidently moving toward a new status – that of a net energy exporter. These successes, he noted, stem from a ba – lanced strategy rather than dogmatic adherence to trends. China does not bet exclusively on renewable energy sources (RES); instead, it advances multiple vectors at once – boosting coal production while simultaneously retaining leadership in solar and wind generation. Such an approach avoids lowering energy-flow density and prevents degradation of power systems. Sechin argued that talk of declining global demand for energy resources lacks foundation. On the contrary, several structural factors will only spur growth in worldwide energy consumption – chief among them the need to guarantee energy security, widening fiscal deficits and public debt, demographic trends, and large-scale digitalization. The digital revolution, according to Sechin, must become a foundation for productivity growth. He emphasized the decisive role of artificial intelligence and big data in reshaping the global energy landscape. Citing research from Goldman Sachs, he stated that large-scale adoption of advanced technologies could increase labor productivity by 1,5 percentage points in developed countries and by 1 percentage point in developing countries over the next decade. These challenges – not formal climate targets detached from reality – must, in his view, shape the energy strategies of the world's leading nations. Electricity – the New Oil Sechin devoted special attention to electricity, dubbing it the 'new oil' of the twenty-first century. The rise of artificial intelligence, the proliferation of data centers, and the accelerated rollout of electric transport are turning electricity into the key resource of the new technological order. Yet, he stressed, for electricity to truly drive development, it is not enough simply to expand generation; the quality and resilience of power systems must be improved. Another source to which the Rosneft chief assigned a pivotal role in the future energy balance is nuclear power. In a world where renewables still cannot deliver the required energy-flow density and hydrocarbons face relentless pressure from environmental activists, nuclear energy offers a way to maintain grid stability. He noted that over the past 15 years, global electricity consumption has grown at an accelerated pace. And in the next 25 years, according to IEA projections, global electricity generation is expected to double. Moreover, Sechin projected that as early as 2025, global investment in the electric power sector will exceed investment in fossil fuels by 50 percent. Russia, Sechin reminded the audience, is a leading nation in this field. The country now offers competitive, technologically advanced civil-nuclear solutions, including within the framework of international projects. Energy Synthesis, Not Energy Substitution Addressing the 'energy transition,' Sechin rejected the idea of rigidly replacing one source with another. Instead, he proposed a model of synthesis – combining traditional and alternative energy sources so that new technologies complement and reinforce the existing system rather than displacing it. This approach, he argued, avoids technological disruptions while ensuring economic efficiency and energy security. A key takeaway from Sechin's speech was his criticism of the net-zero doctrine. Abruptly abandoning traditional energy sources for climate goals, he warned, threatens the world with an energy regression. Without a comprehensive transformation of the entire energy infrastructure, integrating renewables will lead not to sustainable development but to reduced accessibility and reliability of energy supplies, he contended. Russia, meanwhile, can offer the world a more balanced and pragmatic development model in this arena. Sechin also addressed Europe's policy toward Russian energy exports. He recalled that the European Union continues to push for a lower price cap on Russian oil — down to $45 per barrel. 'In my view, the real goal is to increase the efficiency of Europe's purchases from Russia, rather than to reduce the revenue of the Russian budget, as publicly declared', — Sechin argued. The numbers, he noted, support this interpretation: according to Western experts, since early 2023, Europe has purchased over 20 billion euros worth of Russian oil — making it the fourth-largest buyer by volume Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Daily Tribune
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Expands Russian Ties Through Seven MOUs
TDT | Manama Bahrain is expanding its global economic footprint, signing seven private-sector MOUs with Russian economic bodies at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025. The agreements underscore the Kingdom's growing drive to link Bahraini enterprises with new international markets. Bahrain Chamber, led by its Chairman H.E. Sameer Nass, engaged with several prominent Russian institutions to strengthen cooperation across trade, investment, industry, tourism, and logistics. The forum served as a platform to formalise commercial partnerships and unlock long-term cross-border business opportunities. Chamber Signs Seven MOUs The Chamber signed memorandums of understanding with seven institutions under the Russian Federation: Roscongress Foundation, and regional chambers representing Moscow, Chechnya, Krasnodar, Yakutia, and Lipetsk. Each agreement focuses on exchanging economic and investment data, co-hosting exhibitions and trade delegations, and facilitating sector-specific projects that support SMEs and key sectors looking to expand into new regions. 'These MOUs reflect our strategy to connect Bahraini businesses with promising global markets,' said H.E. Nass. 'They represent opportunities for SMEs and key sectors looking to expand into new regions.' Supporting SMEs Khalid Najibi, First Vice Chairman of the Bahrain Chamber, said the agreements align with the Chamber's mission to unlock international investment opportunities. Board Member Ahmed Al Saloom added that the MOUs provide tangible benefits for small and medium enterprises. 'Strategic partnerships like these give our businesses real leverage to expand and innovate internationally,' he said. Global Presence The Chamber reaffirmed its support for Bahraini SMEs and its commitment to opening global market pathways in line with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. Officials noted that the private sector remains central to local development and that these agreements will further solidify Bahrain's economic presence on the global stage.
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan, Russia reaffirm to deepen energy cooperation
Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, held high-level talks with executives of Gazprom, Russia's state-owned energy giant, during his official visit to Moscow, Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday. The discussions centered on expanding bilateral energy cooperation, with a focus on potential joint ventures between Pakistan's Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Gazprom International. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening energy collaboration and Gazprom's extensive expertise in oil and gas exploration, production, and infrastructure development. Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik is visiting Russia, leading a delegation to participate in International Economic Forum 2025 being held in St Petersburg, Russia from June 18-21, 2025.
