The results of the Forum were summed up at the conclusion of the business programme.

First Deputy General Director Alexei Taicher compared the 1520 Forum with a railway New Year, when those involved in the market sum up the results of the preceding period and build their plans for the future. He said that a significant step forward had been taken recently in the development of the railway industry, and in particular many issues had been resolved regarding the creation of the Second Freight Company and bringing the inventory rolling stock into the competitive environment. These issues had also been discussed as a kind of future prospect at previous forums. “I hope that as we celebrate another New Year, we shall be able to report new results,” said A. Taicher.

Rolf Epstein noted that integration of his company into the “1520 Area” involves localizing not only technology but also a full-scale rolling stock production base. By providing long-term maintenance, training personnel and contributing its own experience, Siemens is safeguarding the future of railway machine building in Russia.

RZD Senior Vice-President Valery Reshetnikov analysed the results of the discussions that had taken place at the Forum and noted that on many issues there had been no debate. He attributed this to the fact that the representatives of the transport community had achieved a measure of common thinking on issues concerning the reform and development of railway transport.

Boris Lapidus, General Director of VNIIZHT (the All-Russian Scientific & Research and Design Institute for Electric Train Construction), shared his impressions of the first meeting of the RZD Combined Research Council, which had been held at the Forum. The participants also immediately proposed that a similar structure be created on the scale of the whole “1520 Area”, which would allow to bring together the scientific achievements of various countries and accelerate the modernization processes.

David Yakobashvili, an independent director of the Forum and member of the Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods Board of Directors, expressed his satisfaction with the progress taking place in the railway industry. He noted that the reforms including taking structural sub-divisions into the competitive environment would make railways more attractive in the eyes of freight consignors.

Andrei Goltsblat, Managing Partner of Goltsblat BLP, emphasized the large number of organizations represented at the forum, which was evidence of the high demand for discussion of the “1520 Area” integration issues.

RZD President Vladimir Yakunin noted that the views of the Forum participants testified to the fact that the reform of the industry is not just happening on paper, but in reality. He said the Forum was promoting “1520 Area” integration and was enabling the transport community to act with a united front on matters concerning the development of 1520 mm gauge track. The Forum was an effective modernization mechanism for all four “Is”: Innovations, Investments, Integration and Intellect. “The last two days have been a period of intensive brainstorming, contact, and getting to know each other,” said the head of RZD.