Russia’s economic forum to be far smaller but moves forward

By JIM HEINTZ
Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s showpiece investment gathering begins Wednesday, and organizers are telling foreign participants to be sure to bring cash — not necessarily for making investments, but for spending money. The advice for the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that runs through Saturday is a quiet acknowledgment of the economic difficulties Russia faces as it tries to promote itself to international businesses. The attendance list is another sign of Russia’s uncertain economic prospects. As of the start of June, about 2,700 business representatives from 90 countries were expected to attend — far below the 13,500 participants from 140 countries reported last year.