The 11th international business conference "Russian and Ukrainian business under new conditions: risks and prospects" organized by RosBusinessConsulting (RBC) closed in the Swiss city of Gstaad not far from Geneva last week.

The city of Gstaad surprised and gladdened participants of the conference: "This is like three Courchevels! We'll have fun!" was the conclusion made by those who were lucky enough to travel to Gstaad with the Dagestani delegation. Gitinomagomed Gadzhimagomedov, Senior Vice Prime Minister of the Dagestan Republic; his assistant Magomed Abdulayev; Magomed-sultan Magomedov, General Director of Dagnefteproduct; Vladimir Grigoryants, Director of the Kizlyar Brandy Distillery house, and Magomedsalam Musayev, Director of the All-Russian Exhibition Center, who joined them, were already trying to make serious businessmen feel like they were on holiday on the way from Zurich airport. Having organized an unscheduled bus stop, they revealed a box of cognac and a paper cup from their luggage. Timid refusals were denied, and not only Institute of Globalization Studies Chairman Mikhail Delyagin, lawyer Pavel Astakhov and Echo of Moscow Radio Station Editor-in-Chief Alexey Venediktov, but also senator Lyudmila Narusova, lawyer Natalia Barshchevskaya and Council on human rights under the Russian President Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova were coaxed into having a quick beverage.

… That evening, the conference's participants were ski-lifted up the mountain to have dinner at the Eggli restaurant. It was in the queue for the buffet where the Dagestani delegation revealed the real reason for their visit. "Vladimir Putin has commissioned us to hold an economic forum in Makhachkala. We would like to gain an insight into RBC's experience," Magomedsalam Magomedov, son of the republic's President, said.

This was how Kommersant's reporter described the conference's beginning. And this is what Gitinomagomed Gadzhimagomedov, Senior Vice Prime Minister of the Dagestan Republic, told our newspaper's editor-in-chief Gadzhi Abashilov.

"Perhaps, this was the first time the Dagestan Republic's delegation had taken part in such a respectable forum. This is an honor and obviously a good opportunity to obtain experience. As you know, the economic forum "Dagestan: new regional opportunities" will open in Makhachkala on May 26, 2005, and we must be at our best.

Let me remind you that the decision to hold this forum was approved by President Vladimir Putin. The Russian government will issue a corresponding order in the near future. Regional development minister Vladimir Yakovlev is heading the forum's steering committee; the republic's state council chairman Magomedali Magomedov is acting as a co-chairman. Among the committee's members are famous Russian politicians, economists and entrepreneurs.

In addition, a working committee headed by Dagestani Prime Minister Atay Aliyev is functioning in the republic.

But let's get back to Gstaad.

I made the report "Dagestan: new regional opportunities" at a plenary meeting. It is worth mentioning that the whole Southern Federal District was represented by our delegation."

"I wonder who chose Dagestan?"

"The Russian President's Administration. One of our goals was to worthily present the republic. We tried to reveal its real capabilities and potential.

I hope Russians and foreigners have found out something new about Dagestan, many of them expressed their wish to visit the republic and get a closer view of cooperation prospects.

At the same time, the reports did not paint a rosy picture of what is happening in Dagestan. It's no use concealing that we do not have adjusted regional economic policies. It's obvious that if regions are not extricated from the present situation - 80 percent of Russia's regions are subsidized - the country will not occupy leading development positions.

Roughly speaking, if large amounts of federal budget money are not invested in local economies and if money is allocated for salaries and benefits only, we will face considerable and dangerous losses. I also spoke about the region's stability. This is necessary, and primarily we, who live here, need it, and this issue much depends on us. Russia needs it as well. So do Europe and the whole world. Terrorism has globalized and as such, responsibility must be universal, common, and permanent. "Generally speaking, what conclusions did you make after this trip?"

"We shouldn't retreat into Dagestan's and even Russia's shell. The world will not change according to what we think is happening around us. We should review a lot of things inside our county and analyze more intensely the experience of others.

I am sure that our people and investors will soon benefit from investments in Dagestan's economy. Switzerland is a beautiful country, but Dagestan is more beautiful. What we need is to build good roads to the mountains and solve the problems of electrical energy and gas supplies to the public. This will mean household amenities, warmth and comfort, and nobody will think of leaving our gracious region.

But let me repeat, nothing will come of this without considerable financial investments." "However, let's return to our forum. Who is going to come?"

"There will be a lot of guests. Ten countries have confirmed their wish to come. Many representatives of Russia's political and economic elite are expected to arrive in Dagestan. We hope Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov will find the opportunity to participate. Among the participants will be members of the Russian cabinet; Presidential Envoy to the Southern Federal District Dmitry Kozak will definitely come.

Of course, large Dagestani entrepreneurs, who achieved their potential in Moscow and other regions, won't remain aloof.

"What will the forum include?"

"It will last three days, taking into account arrival and departure days for the participants. A plenary meeting will be held in the morning on May 26; discussions, business contacts, visits to our most successful enterprises will take place after lunch.

Makhachkala will host a large agricultural exhibition.

I think guests will enjoy the forum's cultural program as well, our cuisine and what's the most important - Dagestan's hospitality.

"The issue that concerns many people is security…"

"We won't pretend we don't have problems in this sphere. But one should not whip up any fears. We are taking all necessary measures to exclude the possibility of any security-related incidents. For obvious reasons, we cannot speak about this part of the preparations.