Source: Russian govt delegation to take part in Davos forum

MOSCOW/GENEVA, Dec 17 (PRIME) -- The official delegation of the Russian government will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2019, since the restrictions imposed on Russian businessmen by the event’s organizers have been lifted, a government source told PRIME on December 15.

“As the organizers of the Davos forum have changed their decision and removed the restrictions previously imposed on Russian businessmen, the official government delegation will go to Davos and take part in the forum. The level of the delegation and its composition will be determined later,” the source said.

Alois Zwinggi, the managing director of the Davos forum, said that the forum’s organizers welcome the Russian delegation’s participation in the 2019 forum and will take all necessary measures to ensure that Russian citizens who have fallen under sanctions and are included in the delegation will be staying in the country legally.

On December 6, the Roscongress Foundation cancelled organization of the Russia House at the World Economic Forum 2019 as some Russian businessmen were prohibited to participate in the forum.

Previously, the Financial Times reported that tycoons Oleg Deripaska and Viktor Vekselberg as well as VTB Bank’s CEO Andrei Kostin were barred from participating in the forum. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in late November that Russia would not go to the forum if the restrictions are not lifted, while President Vladimir Putin said later that Russian businessmen may go to Davos on their own.

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