The key event opening the Business Week of the BRICS+ 2026 Business Forum was an official meeting of international delegations at the Nevskaya Ratusha. It focused on the strategic development of international and interregional cooperation and tourism, and on strengthening investment and business ties between St Petersburg and the BRICS+ countries.
The first to address the participants was Sergey Ladochkin, President of the BRICS House International Public and Business Centre. He stressed the importance of direct dialogue: “Tourism is not only travel but also a chance to get to know each other better. Serious business relationships often begin with exactly this kind of acquaintance.”
Dmitry Dmitriev, deputy of the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg and member of its standing commission on industry, economy and entrepreneurship, then read out an official greeting from the Assembly’s Chairman, Alexander Belsky, emphasising the importance of promoting national interests and supporting international dialogue.
Foreign guests then presented their initiatives. The founder and managing director of Burasari Group (Thailand) proposed holding a Russian Week in Bangkok and a Thai Week in St Petersburg. The head of the BRICS House office in Cambodia presented proposals for bilateral cooperation, and a representative of Cameroon expressed hope for joint infrastructure projects in construction, gas and water supply, including a cement plant.
PEGAS ECO CEO Svyatoslav Dyagilev also spoke, presenting an innovative project of rapid-build modular houses and an initiative to create a network of Russian schools around the world. Vladislav Mishchenko, Vice President for International and Interregional Affairs of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, described effective mechanisms for regular exchange of experience in B2B and B2G formats.
Proposals were also put forward by representatives of businesses and diplomatic missions from the Comoros, the Central African Republic, Palestine, Tunisia, Algeria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
The meeting ended with a press approach and a group photo, having served as a platform for direct business contacts and international partnership within the BRICS+ 2026 Business Forum.
