Sber organized a business breakfast titled The Russian Economy: How to Build a Bridge to the Future, held during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The event brought together diverse voices from government, regional authorities, business leaders, and the expert community to discuss long-term paths for Russia’s economy.
The moderator for the session was German Gref, chair of the Sberbank Board of Directors. He convened the gathering to explore structural reforms at a moment marked by rapid changes and complex global challenges. The discussion centered on shaping a bold, future-oriented economic vision for 2030 and identifying the transformational steps needed to reach it.
Gref emphasized that the present climate requires decisive structural change and a clear, long-range plan. He argued that the economy should aim for a transformative leap that has not yet been achieved in recent years, guiding policymakers and the business community toward a more resilient and competitive trajectory.
Throughout the dialogue, the importance of closer government–business collaboration was highlighted as a core driver of progress. Participants noted that regulatory processes have become more agile, with laws and decisions moving through the system at an unprecedented pace. They observed active mechanisms for government-to-business feedback and discussed how new ideas are continually emerging to support enterprise in ways that had not been previously tested.
Prior to the main debate, attendees participated in a brief poll that asked two strategic questions. The first asked whether Russia should prioritize redirecting trade toward new corridors while preserving the current economic structure, or pursue a fundamental shift in structure. The second question asked which scenario the participants believed was more likely. In the first vote, 27.8 percent favored rerouting trade flows while 72.2 percent supported structural changes. In the second, 40.6 percent chose the status quo and 59.4 percent supported restructuring.
During the ensuing discussions, experts agreed that a transformation of the economy’s structure was inevitable. They highlighted the need to develop practical tactics, strengthen public administration, and refine feedback channels between the state and the business sector in order to construct the envisioned bridge to the future as quickly as possible.
At the conclusion of the session, a second vote was conducted. This time, the majority—68.2 percent of those present—opted for structural transformation, with the most decisive momentum occurring after more than an hour and a half of conversation. German Gref summarized the outcomes, expressing optimism about the direction voted for and wishing participants success as they advance toward the shared goals of stability, growth, and opportunity for the broader economy.