Special economic zones play an important role in the creation of a favorable investment climate and the development of the regional economy. The effective functioning of SEZs requires a stable and transparent legal and regulatory framework that provides preferential conditions for residents and stability in the functioning of management companies. In recent years, the legislation governing SEZs has undergone significant changes aimed at optimizing support mechanisms and removing barriers for investors.
At the moment, there are a number of challenges related to the SEZ regulatory framework. The planned legislative changes may both improve conditions for investors and create new barriers to development. Among the key issues are adjustments to the rules for granting benefits and preferences, reporting by management companies and the establishment of new conditions for residents' activities.
The panel session will consider current and planned changes in the regulatory and legal framework of SEZs, as well as their impact on the investment attractiveness of these territories. Participants will discuss the main challenges and risks faced by residents and management companies. Special attention will be paid to optimizing existing regulations, ensuring stable conditions for business and creating new support mechanisms that will help strengthen investment activity and competitiveness of SEZs.

Questions for discussion:
- What changes in legislation are expected in the near future and how will they affect the functioning of SEZs?
- Is there a possibility to retain the status of TCO for SEZ MCs?
- What support measures for management companies should be introduced to increase the investment attractiveness of SEZs?
- What risks and threats to SEZ development are associated with changes in legislation and how to minimize them?

Today, the issue of achieving carbon neutrality is a global priority in environmental policy, which was established by the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Russian Federation, as a country that ratified this document, is working on this issue at the highest level, which is enshrined in such regulations as: Presidential Decree No. 666 dated 04.11.2020, Federal Law No. 296-FZ dated 02.07.2021 “On limiting greenhouse gas emissions”, Strategy of socio-economic development of the Russian Federation with low greenhouse gas emissions until 2050 and Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation.
Infrastructure sites around the world also keep up with global trends and strive to achieve carbon neutrality at their sites by applying advanced energy-saving technologies, greenhouse gas capture technologies, using renewable energy sources, and implementing climate projects on their territory. These measures contribute to achieving both the global goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and holding down the rise in global average temperature, and the goals of sustainable development.

Questions for discussion:
- Using SEZ as an experimental site for achieving carbon neutrality;
- Possibility to register climate projects in SEZ territory;
- Implementation of the ESG model in SEZs as a mechanism for achieving carbon neutrality;
- Foreign experience of SEZs in the pursuit of carbon neutrality.

In a rapidly changing world, special economic zones are becoming increasingly in demand as tools to stimulate economic growth and development not only of individual entities, but of the country as a whole. The creation of various infrastructure within SEZs increases their investment attractiveness, making them more attractive for investors and residents. At the same time, this infrastructure should contribute to ensuring comfortable conditions for companies to conduct their activities, including providing decent working and living conditions for employees of residents.
The panel session will cover a wide range of issues, from the creation of industrial infrastructure facilities and digitalization of services of management companies, to the formation of a comfortable social environment, including the creation of medical centers, university campuses and modern urban environment.
The discussion will focus on finding optimal solutions that can not only provide quality and affordable infrastructure for SEZ residents, but also create a comfortable environment for their life and work. The session participants will discuss best practices, analyze successful cases of creation and development of industrial and social infrastructure within special economic zones.

Questions for discussion:
- Creation of human resources infrastructure;
- Creation of industrial medicine centers;
- Creation of university campuses;
- Creation of social infrastructure;
- Integrated development of territories;
- Creation of industrial technoparks, industrial parks and industrial clusters within SEZs.

At present, the Russian Federation is actively developing the “green” agenda at the legislative level, which is an integral part of sustainable development. Green financial instruments are effective tools on the way to achieving the national sustainable development goals of the Russian Federation.
In order to develop investment activities and attract extra-budgetary funds to projects aimed at the realization of the national development goals of the Russian Federation in the field of green finance, starting from 2021, the criteria for sustainable (including green) development projects have been approved in the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1587.
Special Economic Zones are large territories with a high concentration of industrial production. The development of SEZs contributes to changing the image of the city by moving industry outside the city limits. At the same time, in order to enhance environmental sustainability, SEZ infrastructure must also meet high environmental standards. In order to realize the sustainable development agenda, it is proposed to discuss ESG credits for the construction of SEZ infrastructure, as well as potential support measures.

Questions for discussion:
- Review of existing financial ESG-instruments and their application in SEZs.
- Prospects for the development of banking ESG products and their role in sustainable infrastructure development.
- Subsidies for green infrastructure development
- The role of public and private partnerships in promoting ESG-initiatives.

Special economic zones of tourist-recreational type (SEZ TRT) are unique sites with ready-made infrastructure for the development of tourism activities. They create favorable conditions for attracting investment, accelerating the implementation of tourism projects and reducing the costs of their launch. TRT SEZs cover a wide range of tourism areas: from recreational and ecological to cultural and sports tourism. They can be located near nature reserves and national parks, contributing to the development of the tourism industry in the regions and stimulating economic growth.
Despite their potential, TRT SEZs face a number of challenges, including limited access to government support measures and low tax revenues to the federal budget from their residents. This reduces investment attractiveness and slows down the development of new projects. At the same time, there is a steady growth in domestic tourism: in 2023, the number of tourists traveling in Russia increased by more than 20%. This emphasizes the need to actively develop tourism infrastructure, including the TRT SEZ, to meet demand and offer tourists new quality routes and services.
The roundtable will discuss key issues of functioning and development of the TRT SEZs. The focus will be on government support measures for the management companies of such zones and strategies for attracting investors and tourists to these sites. The participants will discuss methods for assessing the effectiveness of the functioning of TRT SEZs and initiatives to create new zones, which will help identify ways to increase their attractiveness.

Questions for discussion:
- What measures of state support are necessary to increase the investment attractiveness of SEZs of tourist-recreational type?
- What are the prospects for creating new SEZs of TRT?
- What effective strategies can be used to attract investors and tourists to the territory of a TRT SEZ?
- How should the effectiveness of the functioning of a TRT SEZ be assessed and what indicators should be taken into account?
- What new initiatives are planned in the Russian Federation to create and develop TRT SEZs?

Russia and the Republic of Belarus have been successfully developing mutually beneficial relations for many years, which is confirmed not only by historical ties, but also by significant economic indicators.
According to the latest statistical reports, the volume of mutual trade between Russia and Belarus amounted to USD 25.1 billion in the first half of this year, which indicates a high degree of integration of our economies. Industrial cooperation covers key sectors such as agriculture, machine building, high technology and energy. The establishment of joint ventures has become one of the most important factors contributing to the growth of productivity and competitiveness.
An important step towards further rapprochement is the implementation of the Union State Integration Plan, which includes harmonization of economic policy, creation of a single market and development of trade and industrial cooperation. This document not only defines the strategic directions of cooperation between Russia and the Republic of Belarus, but also serves as a basis for the creation of a common infrastructure, which will greatly simplify logistics and interaction between our countries.
The creation of interstate clusters and joint sites will become an important tool for the integration of resources and knowledge, which will allow for more efficient production of goods and introduction of innovations. Technological exchange between Russia and Belarus will promote the development of new technologies and improve the quality of products.
The roundtable is intended to become a platform for discussing promising mechanisms of trade and industrial cooperation and cooperation of inter-infrastructure platforms. It is important to create conditions for sustainable economic growth, which in turn will deepen integration within the Union State. Effective interaction at this level will be the key to the development of joint initiatives and projects that will contribute to the further development of mutually beneficial relations between Russia and Belarus.
Thus, the successful implementation of these activities will create a solid foundation for future cooperation and enhancement of the competitiveness of both countries in the international arena.

Questions for discussion:
- Existing support measures for the development of infrastructure and interstate clusters. The most promising support measures.
- Basic principles of sustainable development (ESG). Integration of the principles into the activities of interstate clusters.
- Challenges facing the creation of export-oriented goods distribution infrastructure, ways of their solution.
- Priority areas for the creation of joint infrastructure sites, sources of financing used for their realization.

In today's rapidly changing work environment, the health and well-being of employees is of paramount importance
for the sustainable economic development of enterprises and, consequently, of the country's economy as a whole. Breakthrough innovative approaches to the protection of workers' health allow to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of system solutions in the health of workers, improve the effectiveness of primary prevention programs for the working population, reduce employee morbidity and the risk of chronic non-communicable and occupational diseases, reduce the economic costs of enterprises related to health care, increase productivity and employee satisfaction with a favorable working environment.
Search for innovative approaches in solving complex problems of health protection of employees of companies-residents of Special Economic Zones, aimed at improving the overall well-being of the working environment. Introduction of breakthrough technologies and proactive measures to improve the physical and mental health of employees of companies.
The discussion will focus on finding optimal solutions that can not only provide quality and affordable medical care for SEZ residents, but also create conditions for health preservation. The session participants will discuss best practices, analyze successful cases of creating and developing a reference model of medical care for SEZ residents.

Questions for discussion:
- Creating a system of health protection for workers: scaling up
on SEZ sites;
- Creation of a comprehensive health center for employees in SEZ “Dubna”: a joint pilot project with the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia;
- Health saving as a key element of sustainable development of SEZ;
- Reimbursement of health care costs.

Industrial tourism in Russia unites 73 regions of the country and more than a thousand enterprises. The regions are creating development programs, excursions, routes and projects. Industrial tourism today is not just a trend. It is a new type of communication of a modern enterprise with future employees, buyers, potential employees, suppliers, partners, residents of the territory of presence.
Industrial tourism allows to form a positive image of the employer, to establish business exchange of experience, to create new cooperative ties and to find new markets. To show the ordinary people of our country that industry has a modern face and can be proud of it.
Industrial tourism is a movement that unites meanings, territories and people. The history that was laid by the first industrialists is supported by true professionals of their business today. A future that we create together to preserve knowledge and develop advanced technologies for the next generations!
Active growth and development of technoparks, industrial parks and SEZs is observed in all regions of Russia. Management companies and residents are facing new challenges that can be solved through the development of industrial tourism.
The task of the session is to provide a clear algorithm of the possibility of inclusion in the project, to demonstrate the already established experience of parks and SEZs, to formulate actions to maximize the effect of industrial tourism in the territories.

Questions for discussion:
- How industrial tourism can be useful for management companies of technoparks, industrial parks and SEZs
- What free tools to promote project participants at the federal level.
- PromTourism - collaboration of business and government, how to find partners in the region and build cooperation to attract target groups.
- PromTourism as a tool for attracting personnel, promoting products, finding partners and investors - practical experience of receiving groups and effects.
- Successful cases of realization of industrial tours for business groups.

Iran, as a country with a rich history and culture, is playing an increasingly important role in the global economy. Special attention is being paid to its accession to BRICS, which opens up new prospects for the development of trade relations and cooperation with other members of this association.
The signing of the agreement between Russia and Iran was an important step towards strengthening their economic ties. An important place in this is played by the growth of trade turnover, which increased by 48% in the first quarter of 2024. Exports from Russia to Iran increased by 77% and imports from Iran by 13%.
An important aspect of strengthening economic ties between Russia and Iran is the development of free economic zones and special economic zones. These zones create favorable conditions for attracting investment, simplifying trade procedures and stimulating innovative cooperation. Establishing effective mechanisms of interaction within these zones not only allows increasing trade volumes, but also facilitates the creation of new jobs, exchange of advanced technologies and introduction of modern business practices. Thus, SEZs and FEZs become an important tool for achieving sustainable economic growth and increasing the competitiveness of both countries in the international arena.
This roundtable should discuss not only current achievements in trade and investment between Russia and Iran, but also promising development tools that could further strengthen mutual relations. Particular attention should be paid to the creation of joint platforms for the realization of projects in high technology, industry and agriculture. This will make it possible not only to increase the efficiency of economic cooperation, but also to create a sustainable basis for a long-term partnership between the two countries.

Questions for discussion:
- Main measures to increase the investment attractiveness of SEZs and FEZs in Russia and Iran, experience of Russia and Iran.
- Necessary steps for harmonization of legislation between Russia and Iran in order to improve conditions for doing business and attracting investments.
- Application strategies for building trade and industrial cooperation and formation of cooperation chains between Russia and Iran.
- Priority areas for the creation of joint infrastructure sites, sources of financing used for their implementation.
- Existing programs of personnel exchange between Russia and Iran, contributing to the development of mutual ties, increasing their efficiency.

Free and special economic zones are proven instruments of territorial development all over the world. Today they are not just drivers of the economy of countries, but also a hub for the development of innovations, allowing to adapt to the global challenges of the world economy. There are over 7000 FEZs and SEZs in the world, which already account for more than 30% of world trade.
Under these conditions, competition between FEZs and SEZs is increasing, dictating the need to develop new strategies and models of development. However, competition does not exclude opportunities for cooperation, but on the contrary strengthens them. FEZs and SEZs can act as key tools for the development of international cooperation by building cooperative ties between enterprises located on the territory of such sites. This will make it possible to form new markets based on strong, strategic partnerships, the principles of adding economic potential and mutual growth enhancement.
For this to be effective, FEZs and SEZs need to establish a dialogue with each other: share experience, synchronize approaches to site management, and implement joint projects. But it is important that this work should be systematic, so within the framework of the International Congress it is planned to discuss promising forms and platforms for cooperation, including the creation of the International Association of FEZs and SEZs.

Questions for discussion:
- Problems of interaction between business and FEZs/SEZs from different countries
- Barriers to localization of production in FEZ/SEZ territories
- Building cooperation ties between countries by means of cluster mechanism
- Regulatory and legal regulation of FEZs/SEZs and prospects for its harmonization
- Integration of sustainable development agenda into FEZ/SEZ development strategy
- Establishment of an International Association of FEZs and SEZs to promote cooperation and a common knowledge base

Connect to the broadcast

Special economic zones (SEZs) are territories with special conditions for investors. These may include tax incentives, simplified administrative procedures, and other business support measures.
Cooperation and collaboration between SEZs can be both domestic and international. Internal cooperation implies interaction between different SEZs within one country or region. International cooperation involves partnership between SEZs of different countries.
International cooperation between SEZs is of great importance for the development of international trade and investment. It may take the form of joint projects, exchange of experience and knowledge, establishment of joint ventures, etc.
Cooperation between special economic zones contributes to creating favorable conditions for business development, attracting investment and technology, and strengthening international ties. It is an important tool for achieving sustainable economic growth and increasing the competitiveness of regions and countries. Also, international SEZ cooperation can include exchange of experience in zone management, development strategies, investment and technology attraction. This allows countries to share best practices and improve the performance of their SEZs.
In order for international cooperation to be effective, it is necessary to have support measures from the state. Cooperation within the framework of such interstate associations as the EAEU, BRICS and ASEAN has a special role to play in this matter, which acquires appropriate support mechanisms,
Thus, the panel session will discuss the opportunities and prospects to support international cooperation, as well as the measures to be taken to address this issue.

Questions for discussion:
- What is the role of SEZs in the development of international trade and industrial cooperation?
- How to ensure effective exchange of experience between domestic and foreign SEZs?
- What support measures are aimed at the development of international cooperation?
- How can the implementation of joint projects stimulate the creation of new value chains and lead to increased competitiveness of products manufactured by SEZ residents?
- How can the mechanism of industrial clusters stimulate cooperation?