Since the start of the year, Sberbank has reported a net profit of 999 billion rubles, a milestone that underscores the bank’s sustained profitability amid evolving market conditions. This figure was highlighted during a keynote at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, where the bank’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, German Gref, outlined the strong earnings trajectory and the capital efficiency that supports it. The presentation emphasized a return on capital exceeding 25 percent, a level that signals a robust ability to convert invested capital into earnings, even as the global economy experiences shifts in demand, inflation, and capital flow patterns.
As the Eastern Economic Forum unfolds in Vladivostok from September 10 to 13, the event is staged on the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University, situated on Russky Island. To ensure the safety of all participants, regional authorities have imposed restrictions on hunting in Primorye, reflecting a broader emphasis on secure and well-managed conference environments for high-profile international gatherings. The forum serves as a major conduit for dialogue among Russian and global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, spotlighting the economic potential of the Russian Far East and outlining concrete opportunities for investment, development, and cross-border collaboration.
Established by a presidential decree in 2015, the Eastern Economic Forum was created to accelerate the Far East’s economic development and to broaden international cooperation across Asia-Pacific markets. The Roscongress Foundation acts as the event’s organizer, coordinating a program that features policy discussions, sectoral analyses, and business matchmaking activities designed to connect regional initiatives with international capital, technology, and management expertise. The forum provides a platform for assessing the competitive advantages of the region, including infrastructure upgrades, port and logistics developments, energy projects, and diversified sectors that can attract foreign investment and stimulate domestic growth.
Gref’s remarks at the forum also touched on strategic priorities for leveraging the Amur region’s untapped potential in tourism, highlighting how inbound travel can complement broader economic diversification. He noted the importance of creating a stable, attractive environment for international visitors, including improvements in hospitality, accessibility, and cultural exchange programs that can benefit local communities while opening channels for global travelers to experience the Far East. This perspective aligns with broader efforts to position the Amur region as a gateway for tourism, trade, and investment, reinforcing the link between sector development and long-term economic resilience.
Industry observers in Canada and the United States, as well as global financial markets, are watching how the region’s policy framework and investment incentives will shape cross-border capital flows. The forum’s agenda features sessions on macroeconomic trends, currency risk management, and the role of technology in accelerating regional growth. For international investors, the event offers a clear picture of regulatory improvements, infrastructure projects, and public-private partnerships that could facilitate new ventures in energy, mining, transportation, and digital services. The discussions also address risk management, governance standards, and the evolving landscape of sanctions, compliance, and geopolitical developments that influence investment timing and scale.