Since its inception in 2006, RSBF has been firmly rooted in the simple instinct to help businesses in Singapore better understand Russia. Six years on, this instinct remains at the heart of the forum, which has grown and evolved into a more complex and sustainable platform to (a) forge B-2-B linkages; (b) launch business projects and tie-ups and (c) bridge pan-regional and global businesses across Russia/CIS, Singapore and the rest of Asia. Singapore is a vibrant, dynamic city state with strong governance, excellent infrastructure and a worldly multicultural society. Having established itself on the global stage as a cosmopolitan business hub, it is also a key gateway for businesses in Russia and the CIS region to better understand and access opportunities in the Asian region.

In 2011, RSBF cemented its position as perhaps the most significant international forum on the Russia/CIS and emerging markets. We attracted more than 800 businessmen from close to 40 countries. Media coverage was considerable, with over 400 mentions across Russian/CIS media, and 67 reports across key Singapore and international media. These included the key dailies, broadcast and online media such as The Times (UK), BBC, ChannelNewsAsia, RIA Novosti, The Moscow Times, and Rossia 1 and Rossia 24.  Our discussions were aimed at results, focusing on opportunities in the next generation of emerging markets and the greater Chinese growth area. We targeted business encounters through the round-tables on real estate investments and industrial parks.

RSBF 2012 will look ahead to anticipate the coming years. This era will see cities taking on new meanings as they become the focal points of development and of human living. As drivers of economic growth increasingly centre on emerging and fast developing markets, we will continue to explore this theme, with a strong focus on Asia. As a customary theme, we will continue to discuss business opportunities and challenges in Russia/CIS, especially as President Putin takes up the mantle of leadership. In line with RSBF’s mission to help build business relationships, we will also have focused sessions to engineer business encounters on a one-to-one level. RSBF 2012 will continue to look at real estate as investment vehicles, industrial parks as models of development and technology as ways of collaboration between our companies.

I look forward to receive you at RSBF 2011.

Yours Sincerely
Michael Tay
Executive Director, Russia-Singapore Business Forum
& Founding Executive Director, Centre for Emerging Markets