Russian Railway chief introduces three independent Forum directors

The annual Strategic Partnership 1520 business forums traditionally have independent directors who are experts not directly engaged in railway transport. Their task is to give an unbiased assessment of the discussions and the event as a whole.

RZD President Vladimir Yakunin has introduced the independent directors of the 6th International Business Forum Strategic Partnership 1520. Over the next two days, the event will be supervised by the General Director of United Media Holding Mikhail Berger, President of the Strategic Development Centre fund Mikhail Dmitriyev, and Director of the McKinsey&Company Frankfurt office Karl-Stefan Neumann.

At the same time, Peter-Carlo Lerell, Chairman of FIPRA International and an independent director of last year’s Strategic Partnership 1520, has continued his work in the interim between the events. At the opening of this year’s Forum, he shared his view of the effectiveness of the event for development of Spaces 1520 and 1435 and the issues that need to be addressed in 2011.

In his opinion, railways today are unrivalled and the most competitive means of transport. Indeed, last year international experts began to understand the prospects for development and provision of transport for Chinese and Indian territories, meaning that new railways will be built there. Space 1520, which is between East and West, is becoming more important than ever. “Space railways is a new codeword for the land bridge between Europe and Asia”, says Peter-Carlo Lerell.

He notes the vital importance of developing planned transport corridors as part of the European programme, particularly extension of wide gauge to Vienna. The project, which now involves four Space 1520 countries, may open up heady prospects for development of business in the countries involved and elsewhere. The project is being considered at the highest level and the fact that it is such a focus of attention augurs well for its success.

Speaking at the opening of the Forum, the expert also stressed the importance of Space 1520, its historical aspects and commitment to modernisation and development. This takes on added significance in the light of major sports events in the area where Russian Railways and the 1520 gauge function. “I am sure that we can achieve more”, the expert believes.

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