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Key Topics For Forum Announced

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Tuesday named the key themes for the next event in June.

Ways of funding the country's ambitions to build more roads, power lines and other infrastructure topped the list of Russia-focused subjects.

The lineup also includes discussions on the Single Economic Space — the trade pact between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan that has been one of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's pet projects.

The government's Russian Direct Investment Fund will report its deals and other progress to sum up almost one year of existence, according to a statement from the forum organizers.

One more topic on the Russia agenda is President Dmitry Medvedev's idea of an "open Cabinet" aiming to draw advice on economic policy from the expert community. Medvedev is the likely next prime minister.

Speakers from a new Cabinet, expected to undergo a reshuffle after Putin assumes presidential office May 7, will talk on some of these and other issues in the section titled "Russian Potential in Action," including retirement pensions, major corporations' innovation programs and charity.

The forum will also address global financial matters such as the European debacle and the contribution of sovereign wealth funds to worldwide economic growth.

A third section will focus on new media and innovations in medicine and energy. Russian companies will present their latest high-tech innovations.

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