ST. PETERSBURG, June 3 (RIA Novosti) - As Russia's second-largest city St. Petersburg readies itself for an international economic forum this weekend, the authorities have asked locals to put up with temporary inconveniences.
The organizers are expecting a larger number of top Russian and foreign businessmen than in previous years.
Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina said earlier that over 2,000 business representatives, heads of state, ministers and scientists from across the globe would attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum scheduled for June 4-6.
Some 12,000 police officers will ensure security during the event.
Pulkovo International Airport is getting ready to receive around 150 business flights for the duration of the event which almost coincides with the World Grain Forum to be held on June 6-7.
The governor of the city assured reporters that the current global economic crisis had not affected the arrangements for the economic forum.
"Everything is going as scheduled, without any problems... The crisis has not had a negative effect on the arrangements for the forum," Valentina Matviyenko.
The economy will be a priority on June 5, and June 6 will be devoted to financial discussions, according to Nabiullina, however anti-crisis programs being implemented in various countries will be in the limelight.
The weather forecast is for rain and a maximum of 17 degrees Centigrade (62.2 Fahrenheit) for both events.
