The role of St. Petersburg for Russia's development could be compared with the role of Hong Kong for China's development, former head of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ronald Arculli said on Wednesday.
“I recommend everyone to visit St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. In my opinion, St. Petersburg is like Hong Kong because it is the European gateway to Russia, as Hong Kong is the international gateway to China,” Arculli said at a regional panel discussion of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Hong Kong.
He added that Russia and Asian developing countries are currently the engine of the global economic development and also praised the trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China.
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held on June 21-23, 2012 under the motto “Effective Leadership”. Vladimir Putin is expected to give a speech at the forum.