The key business event of the Northwestern Federal District. Every year, the Forum is attended by leading federal experts, regional leadership, and representatives of major companies and business associations.
This year, the main theme of the Forum will be "The Economy of Efficiency: from Investment to Productivity"
In 1986, he graduated from Leningrad Agricultural Institute with a degree in Economics and Organization of Agriculture. In 2007, he was awarded the degree of Candidate of Economic Sciences.
Experience and achievements:
Alexander Drozdenko has been the Governor since 2012. He is among the top‑10 most influential governors of Russia (APEC rating), and the region has risen to 4th place in terms of management efficiency.
Over 14 years under his leadership, Leningrad Oblast:
- Leads Russia in the volume of investments in the real sector — the portfolio has exceeded 6.5 trillion rubles;
- Ranks 1st in the country in housing commissioning per capita;
- Leningrad Oblast is the main logistics hub of the Baltic (ports of Ust‑Luga, Primorsk, Vysotsk);
- A unified “Social Code” for targeted assistance has been introduced; - The region is a leader in supporting NGOs and in organizing assistance to participants and veterans of the Special Military Operation;
- High positions in digitalization (6th place in Russia) and in the implementation of lean technologies in the social sphere;
- The “Zemsky Doctor” and “Zemsky Teacher” programs are actively operating.
Egor Sergeevich Mishcheryakov
Vice-Governor of Leningrad Oblast for Economic Development — Chairman of the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activity of Leningrad Oblast
Egor Sergeevich Mishcheryakov
Place of work:
Government of Leningrad Oblast
Position:
Vice-Governor of Leningrad Oblast for Economic Development — Chairman of the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activity of Leningrad Oblast
Education
In 2009, he graduated from St. Petersburg State University of Engineering and Economics with a degree in Economics and Management. Candidate of Economic Sciences.
In 2019, he completed professional development courses at RANEPA under the “Managerial Excellence” program.
Experience and achievements:
In November 2025, he was appointed Vice-Governor of Leningrad Oblast for Economic Development — Chairman of the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activity. He oversees investment policy, socio-economic development, and the preparation of the regional delegation for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Russian Investment Forum. He leads efforts to improve the investment climate within the framework of the ASI National Rating. He has been awarded a Certificate of Honor and has received the Gratitude of the Governor of Leningrad Oblast.
Vadim Vyacheslavovich Belikov
General Director
Vadim Vyacheslavovich Belikov
Place of work:
LLC SMUVA
Position:
General Director
Education
Master in International Relations, RANEPA
Experience and achievements:
- Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of International Relations, RANEPA;
- Specialist in GR and business consulting in Africa and the USA;
- Co-organizer of international youth projects G8Y, G20Y. From 2014 to 2019, UN DPI expert on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Alexander Alexandrovich Shirov
Director of the Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Alexander Alexandrovich Shirov
Place of work:
Institute of Economic Forecasting of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Position:
Director
Education
Corresponding Member of RAS, Doctor of Economics. Graduated from Plekhanov Russian University of Economics and completed postgraduate studies at INP RAS.
Experience and achievements:
Main areas of activity: macroeconomic analysis and forecasting, analysis of intersectoral linkages, justification of economic policy measures, sectoral modelling and forecasting, development of multi-level calculation systems based on input-output models of the economy. Consulting in the field of public and corporate governance.
Key areas of work: - applied research in the analysis and forecasting of the Russian economy; - development of methodology for input-output macrostructural forecasting; - developed a concept for the interaction of dynamic and structural characteristics of economic development in formulating and justifying a development strategy; - solving problems of comprehensive assessment of multiplicative effects related to the implementation of national projects, development of economic sectors, regions, corporations, and individual large investment projects at the national and international levels.
Alexander Sergeevich Agafonov
Advisor
Alexander Sergeevich Agafonov
Place of work:
Representative Office of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in St. Petersburg
Position:
Advisor
Education
Higher legal education, Faculty of Law of St. Petersburg State University
Experience and achievements:
Advisor 1st class of the diplomatic service. Specialization – relations with the Republic of South Africa. 20 years of experience in Russian foreign institutions in South Africa. Oversaw the creation of a bilateral legal framework, promotion of political dialogue, economic ties and regional cooperation.
Evgeny Vilevich Kalyamov
Deputy Director
Evgeny Vilevich Kalyamov
Place of work:
LLC “B X G”
Position:
Deputy Director
Education
Deputy Director
Experience and achievements:
15 years of experience in sales and international trade, organization and holding of more than 80 international events.
Oleg Vitalievich Ovcharenko
General Director
Oleg Vitalievich Ovcharenko
Place of work:
LLC “Ovcharenko and Partners”
Position:
General Director
Education
St. Petersburg Institute of Foreign Economic Relations, Economics and Law. Specialization – jurisprudence.
Experience and achievements:
General Director and co‑founder of “Ovcharenko and Partners”, Patent Attorney No. 2293
- Member of the Russian National Group of AIPPI
- Member of the “St. Petersburg Collegium of Patent Attorneys”
Total professional experience over 11 years
Areas of professional competence: trademark protection, anti‑counterfeiting, international brand registration, copyright protection.
