South Africa is the most attractive tourist destination this season. As the Limpopo River was witnessing a new reality show, the International Convention Center in Cape Town opened its doors for RBC's international business conference "Russia and South Africa - Business on Emerging Markets." "The Republic of South Africa could become a strong foothold for the expansion of Russian companies in the continent," RBC's General Director Yury Rovensky said. "We came here with representatives of major Russian companies, well-known politicians, and government officials, so that they could see with their own eyes the advantages that Russia will have in the region should it becomes partners with South Africa."

Senator Lyudmila Narusova, Honorary President of VimpelCom Dmitry Zimin, State Duma deputy Vadim Varshavsky, President of the Russian Financial Corporation Andrei Nechaev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Ownership Viktor Pleskachevsky, President of the Moscow City Advocates' Chamber Genri Reznik, pop singer Anita Tsoy and many other great people were among the participants in the forum. From 4 - 8 November they were accommodated in local hotels: the colonial-style Cullinan and the hi-tech Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel, with its wonderful view of Cape Bay.

The Russian delegation had to endure a 13-hour flight before it got to deliver speeches, travel to a savanna, visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and enjoy a three-day trip to Namibia, Zambia and Botswana. Only the impressive supplies of Chivas Regal and conversation made the time go quickly on the plane. For example, State Duma Deputy Vadim Varshavsky and singer Anita Tsoy had enough time to discuss the risks of African tropical diseases, exchange the latest Moscow news, and go through main global events.

Cape Town welcomed the participants with a beautiful spring: a warm breeze and bright sunshine, from time to time hidden by cumulonimbus clouds. The event could not have passed without a few surprises at the airport. Yury Rovensky met guests wearing traditional African attire, and offered everybody dried antelope meat. The ladies were presented with astonishing proteas, which are blooming in South Africa at the moment.

The next day was totally devoted to sightseeing around Cape Town and the suburbs. When the Russian guests had got over their jet lag and sated themselves with the local cuisine, it was time for topical sessions and round-table meetings.

The main topic was "Government and businesses. A constructive dialogue and mutual expectations. Experience of the two countries." Former Russian minister, President of the Russian Financial Corporation Andrei Nechayev, raised the most applause. According to him, administrative reforms had turned out to be all about the technical division of government bodies into ministries and agencies, and had proved inefficient. The government's pressure on businesses was not reduced, and the number of state officials and bribes only increased. Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Ownership Viktor Pleskachevsky agreed with him and added: "Governmental regulations in Russia are an impenetrable membrane, and if you do get through them it will cost you a fortune. Here is a good example: one person was enough to do all the book-keeping on Soviet collective farms (kolkhozy). Now companies establish entire departments to prepare financial reports for state regulating bodies."

State officials attempted to explain the situation. "We need state regulation whatever happens," Administrative Department Director of the Russian Industry and Energy Ministry Yevgeniy Dedkov insisted. Senator Luidmila Narusova joined the discussion by raising the provocative question "whether the Russian State Duma and ministries are thinking of working out a bill to make state officials responsible for incorrect bills and false reforms." Unfortunately, this question remained unanswered. Officials once again stressed the necessity of "having this problem discussed in more detail."

All participants of the conference admitted that it was far easier and safer to invest in South Africa than in Russia. For this very reason, our businessmen are tending to invest their money in this very country right now. At present, the Republic of South Africa is number one in terms of Russian investment, which is USD1.5bn and represents 16.5% of the total investment. South Africa does have plenty of investment projects to offer. De Beers officials attended one of the sessions and introduced several promising projects currently being implemented together with Russian investors. The mining industry was actively debated as a sphere of potential cooperation. Rich mineral resources and underdeveloped infrastructure are the main but not the only spheres in which Russian investment will be very helpful. Many participants were very much surprised by the GAZ automobile manufacturer planning to launch supplies of its Gazel trucks with right-hand drive to South Africa but, for some reason, without air conditioning.

A session on the topic "Finances and banks" appeared to attract a lot of interest. Banks' acquisitions as well as ways of further developing Russia's banking system and scenarios for its integration with the global economy were discussed during the session.

The business talks were important, but not the only element of RBC's business conference. Each day of the event ended with an interesting program. For example, one dinner was arranged in the ancient Castle of Good Hope which was opened specially for the Russian guests. They got to try exotic cuisine (such as tender antelope fillet in wine sauce), enjoy a concert by national pop stars and fireworks in traditional Russian big style. Another evening was spent visiting an old winery, where the Russian guests learned about traditional winery technology and got to taste local wines. Unfortunately, the time went by very quickly. Designed as a business event, the conference closed with a mega party with Chivas. Together with the performance of Russian singer Anita Tsoy, it warmed the hearts of the participants. Anita sang her latest hits and also the Russian national anthem, which inspired everyone to stand up and sing along. Amazingly enough, most of the Russian guests knew the new lyrics by heart.