The theme of RSBF 09 was “Emerging from Turbulence: New Economic Opportunities” to respond to the prevailing concerns of businesses. The outcome of RSBF 09 exceeded our expectations as we achieved significant milestones. Despite the downturn, we achieved record high participation, with over 600 delegates from more than 20 countries and with a good spread over industry sectors (oil & gas, infrastructure, engineering, medical, automotive, hospitality, technology, retail and offshore marine). In addition, RSBF 09 moved the bar on networking and business matching with events structured to increase opportunities for businessmen to connect. The forum received strong media coverage and the participation of about 100 journalists. Top international media like CNBC, BBC, Financial Times and Bloomberg covered the event.

Singapore Senior Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong delivered the opening address at the forum, followed by a keynote speech by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Mr Igor Shuvalov. Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew closed the forum with another invigorating “In-Conversation” session. Other prominent speakers included Mr Herman Gref, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sberbank; Dr Tony Tan, Deputy Chairman and Executive Director of Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC); Mr Kotaro Tamura, Parliamentary Secretary of Cabinet Office for Economic and Fiscal Policy for Financial Services, Japan, among many others.