The message reads, in part:

“The forum involves top executives from production, processing and trade companies, representatives of state agencies, and research and public organisations. The agenda of the forum includes important issues linked with the development of the national grain market, the spring sowing season and the attraction of additional investment in the sector.

“The Government supports the agro-industrial sector. Now that Russia has joined the World Trade Organisation, we must make the agro-industrial sector more competitive. We must improve state regulation mechanisms, modernise the transport-logistics infrastructure, expand the export potential and focus on the introduction of efficient, resource-saving agrarian technologies, as well as modern loan and insurance instruments to accomplish this objective.

“I hope that the recommendations of convention participants will help accomplish these important objectives.”