The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum remains one of the principal platforms through which Russian regions are able to present their own development models, showcase their industrial, technological, and investment potential, and build systems of cooperation with federal institutions, businesses, and foreign partners. The participation of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in SPIEF has long extended beyond formal representation: regional exhibition stands, business sessions, and signed agreements have become instruments for promoting territories, establishing new economic ties, and attracting strategic investors.
From 3 to 6 June 2026, the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026) was held in St. Petersburg. The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of VEB.RF at the Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Centre. During the forum, Russia’s regions presented large-scale development programs reflecting the priorities of industrial modernization, technological sovereignty, and international cooperation.
Mordovia and Cooperation at SPIEF 2026
One of the forum’s active participants was the Republic of Mordovia, whose delegation was led by the Head of the Republic, Artyom Zdunov. At SPIEF 2026, Mordovia presented an expanded program that included the promotion of its investment opportunities, industrial capabilities, and promising areas of technological development. During the forum, the republic concluded a number of agreements with Russian corporations and foreign partners, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation and expanding economic ties.
During SPIEF 2026, meetings were held with federal officials. With the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Murashko, issues related to the modernization of primary healthcare and the republic’s reproductive policy were discussed. A meeting with Sergei Dankvert, head of Rosselkhoznadzor, focused on the activities of Mordovian producers oriented toward exporting their agricultural products. Active engagement with Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan has begun, while the main strategic direction for the region remains China.
Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko and the Head of Mordovia Artyom Zdunov
Artyom Zdunov highlighted in particular the importance of meetings with the heads of Rosseti and RusHydro, which are among the main consumers of products from Mordovian industrial enterprises. The Head of Mordovia held a working meeting with the CEO of PJSC Rosseti, Andrey Ryumin. The parties discussed the construction of a new substation required for the creation of an industrial park and the development of a special economic zone in the region, as well as the expansion of industrial cooperation. Rosseti also confirmed its plans to allocate more than 1 billion rubles in 2026 for the development of Mordovia’s infrastructure. These funds will be used for connecting large agro-industrial facilities to the power grid and for the technical upgrading of key substations.
Regarding cooperation with PJSC RusHydro, the partnership has become a clear example of effective systematic work. Artyom Zdunov emphasized the importance of the “Supplier Days” format, which RusHydro regularly holds in Mordovia. It is worth noting that such a conference already took place in Saransk on 4 April 2026. This event, which the company has been organizing since 2016, serves as an effective platform for expanding the pool of potential suppliers and familiarizing them with the procurement system. It is precisely thanks to this systematic work within the framework of the “Supplier Days” that significant progress has been achieved. The volume of sales of products from Mordovian industrial enterprises to RusHydro has increased from zero to two billion rubles.
A new investment project is being launched by the Promomed Group within the framework of an agreement signed with the Industrial Development Fund. Nearly one billion rubles will be allocated to the Biokhimik plant for the development of medicines for the treatment of rare diseases. Together with the Republic’s reliable partner, Rosselkhozbank, the “Organic for Children” project is being expanded, with organic dairy products set to be included in the diet of primary school students in Saransk schools.
Moreover, during SPIEF 2026, a working meeting took place between the Head of the Republic of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov, and the Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC Gazprom, Alexey Miller. The key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a new “road map”. This document, designed for 2026–2028, replaces the previous agreement and is aimed at expanding the use of high-tech products from Mordovian enterprises in the company’s operations. The goal of the new roadmap is to further enhance the scientific, technological, and industrial potential of the republic for the needs of Russia’s fuel and energy complex (FEC).
“Today we met with the management of the Sinara Group, a rolling stock manufacturer. We signed an agreement to launch a trolleybus assembly production facility in Saransk. The new, modern models with autonomous operation will make it possible to operate them even in areas without overhead contact networks. An important agreement was also concluded with Gazprom on the use of high-tech products from enterprises in the region for the company’s needs. They have very large consumption volumes, and we are always striving to increase sales of our products,” Artyom Zdunov noted.
It is important to note that an agreement on cooperation was signed between the CEO of JSC MAZ “Moskvich”, Elena Frolova, and the Head of the Republic of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov. It provides for the expansion of the municipal “Family Taxi” fleet in Saransk from 31 to 36 vehicles by the end of the year. The project has already proven to be in demand: over the past six months, more than 16,000 trips have been completed, with around 700 requests received daily.
Business-focused meetings were held throughout all three days of the Mordovia team’s work at SPIEF 2026, with a dedicated negotiation space operating for this purpose. The republic’s enterprises were represented by the heads of several companies showcasing their products. In particular, an agreement was reached with the region’s strategic partner, Napitki Vmeste, to maintain production volumes of beverages that provide the republic with significant excise revenues.
“Every year we await the results of the National Investment Climate Ranking of Russian regions, because it is absolutely objective and compiled by a large team of professionals. Mordovia remains among the top ten most investment-attractive regions: we recently entered this group and do not intend to give up our position. Moreover, we have moved up one place this year. Being in the top ten makes further progress somewhat more difficult, but I set this goal for the team. For business, the National Ranking is an important indicator, and its position carries significant weight: when a region is in the top ten, business is drawn to it and pays attention to it,” the Head of the Republic stated.
Moreover, on the first day of the regional delegation’s work at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Artyom Zdunov took part in a business meeting of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia and the All-Russian public organization “Delovaya Rossiya”. The session, chaired by Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, was held at the “Russia – My History” center.
It is worth noting that the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia includes 18 constituent entities of the Russian Federation with the highest level of technological development. They account for 25% of the country’s gross product, including high-tech and knowledge-intensive industries.
Mordovia at SPIEF 2026 Sessions
As a speaker, the Head of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov, spoke about the development of intellectual property in the republic. He noted that in recent years Mordovia has achieved significant progress in scientific and technological development. This has had a direct impact on socio-economic growth in the region.
It was noted that one of the strategic tasks is the creation of a Federal Center for Biotechnology Development on the basis of the N.P. Ogarev Mordovia State University, together with the Promomed Group. This will make it possible to localize developments and ensure a full-cycle production of new biotechnological drugs within the country, as well as to strengthen national pharmaceutical security. The project has received support under the “Priority 2030” program.
Also, on 4 June at SPIEF 2026, the Head of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov, took part in several sessions, including: “Space for Innovative Competitiveness: Searching for Boundaries”, “Regions under Global Challenges: How to Maintain Financial Stability and Stimulate Development”, and “Technological Breakthrough and Transformation of Supervisory and Regulatory Activities: A New Quality of Regulation”.
Artyom Zdunov as a speaker at a session within SPIEF 2026
The participation of the Republic of Mordovia in the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026) became one of the key events for the region, demonstrating its growing investment and industrial potential. The delegation, led by the Head of the Republic, Artyom Zdunov, held a series of intensive negotiations, which resulted in the signing of several strategically important agreements aimed at further socio-economic development of the region.
The Head of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov, and the Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Rosselkhozbank, Boris Listov
Moreover, during SPIEF, attention was also paid to the development of foreign economic relations by the regional delegation. The Head of the region, Artyom Zdunov, and the Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Arman Shakkaliev, reached an agreement to organize a business mission of the Mordovian delegation to Kazakhstan in autumn 2026 to develop cooperation in industry and agriculture.
Results of SPIEF 2026 for the Republic of Mordovia
Summing up the activities of the Mordovian delegation within SPIEF 2026, the following can be observed: cooperation documents were signed with Gazprom (on the use of high-tech products of regional enterprises) and Rosseti (on the development of the electric grid complex); a strategic agreement was concluded with the Sinara Group on launching an assembly production facility for modern trolleybuses with autonomous operation in Saransk; and an agreement was reached with Rosselkhozbank on expanding the “Organic for Children” project to provide schoolchildren with organic dairy products.
In the sphere of healthcare and high technologies, the Industrial Development Fund will finance the Biokhimik enterprise (part of the Promomed Group) for the development of medicines for the treatment of rare (orphan) diseases.
In the area of urban environment and transport, an agreement was signed with the Moscow Automobile Plant “Moskvich” on the development of transport infrastructure, including “family taxi” and electric car-sharing projects, aimed at improving the quality of life in the region.
In addition, in the field of foreign economic relations, an agreement was reached on organizing a business mission between the Republic of Mordovia and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Thus, SPIEF 2026 became for the Republic of Mordovia not merely a platform for presenting its achievements, but an effective instrument for implementing strategic objectives. A high position in the National Investment Climate Ranking and the agreements signed with market leaders confirm the investment attractiveness of the region.
Signing of an agreement between the Head of the Republic of Mordovia, Artyom Zdunov, and the Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC Gazprom, Alexey Miller.
