The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2011 Will Convene Under the Theme 'Emerging Leadership for a New Era'

ST PETERSBURG, April 12, 2011 - The XV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is being held
June 16-18, 2011, will convene under the theme 'Emerging Leadership for a New
Era' in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, will give the
opening remarks, and in the coming weeks, SPIEF expects to confirm the
participation of heads of state from a range of key emerging markets and
developed economies.

Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Arkady
Dvorkovich, told journalists today at a briefing, "We are expecting a lot of
guests for the Forum in St. Petersburg. The Chinese President Hu Jintao has
been invited as honorable guest, and will make one of the main speeches after
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speaks at the plenary session."

Clearly indicating the importance of emerging markets in shaping the
future, sessions at the Forum are arranged under three pillars:

- Securing Global Growth will examine the drivers,
opportunities and potential risks to the global economy, as well as explore
mitigating policies and institutional responses to securing growth;

- Building Russia's Creative Capital will focus on how Russia
is striving to reach its next stages in modernization;

- Expanding Technology Horizons will explore the possibilities
and limitations as scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, financiers, and
policy makers all collaborate to bring new capabilities and innovations to
meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Updated information on the Forum programme and confirmed
discussion panel participants can been found online at
www.forumspb.com

Irina Sukhova to verify the news release: +7(911)948-0388, irina.sukhova at forumspb.com, Svetlana Smelik: +7(911)112-17-80 svetlana.smelik at forumspb.com