Prime Minister Vladimir Putin invites investors to Russia.
There were even more heated discussions during the second day of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Although he did not take part in the plenary sessions, Vladimir Putin, just as a day earlier, was the main newsmaker of the day.
At the meeting with the International Business Council and the International Media Council on Thursday, Putin elaborated on the ideas he presented on Wednesday. He also called on international investors not to be scared of Russia and to actively invest in the country's economy.
There were two main messages in every speech that Putin gave at Davos. The first message was that the current crisis is a result of excessive expectations; and the second - that the supranational regulation of the world economy should not only be reformed, but should also become qualitatively different and more effective.
Our reporter in Davos inquired as to the reaction to Putin's messages among the other participants at the World Economic Forum. "I can not speak for others, but personally, I liked Putin's speech, which was well balanced. The Prime Minister proposed several ways of reforming the world finance system, and I believe that in one way or another they will be realized," said Loran Freks, Nestle Executive Vice President and Head of its European operations.
"Overall, I liked Putin's speech. He said the right things about energy security and the need for a legal reform in the energy sphere. He should, however, understand that Europe cannot depend on a single source of energy supplies, and we will certainly keep searching for and developing alternative sources of gas supplies to Europe," said a Swiss businessman Carlos Miksa.
Russian participants at the forum also shared their thoughts about the Prime Minister's speech. "Putin's speech was well balanced. Most importantly, he refrained from frightening the world community with now fashionable scary forecasts," said David Yakobashvili, Wimm-Bill-Dann Board of Directors Chairman.
According to Troyka Dialog Executive Director Andrey Sharonov, "Putin presented an objective analysis of the current situation and send a signal to investors that Russia has sufficient reserves to live through the difficult times of crisis."
By Maksim Tovkailo