Participants in the Transport Week-2011 forum are gathering in Moscow for five days of talks. Among other issues, the agenda of the meeting is focusing on Russia`s strengthening role in the development of transport system in Eurasia and the prospects for the country`s integration into the global transport system.

The Eurasian Union is neither a new Soviet Union nor a body to replace the CIS – this is a link between Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Members of the Union expect a deeper economic integration which cannot be achieved without well-developed transport infrastructure ensuring prompt delivery of cargoes from Asia to Europe and back. With its unique geographical location, Russia can bridge the two regions.

The Asian region, which comprises Japan, China and the South-Eastern Asia, currently needs a channel to quickly deliver cargoes to western Europe. Multimodal transportation by land is expected to match with the growing trade turnover. The delivery of a cargo container from the Vostochny port in Russia to the Finnish border will take less than 13 days and will cost $1600- twice quicker and cheaper than via the Suez Canal.

Analyst for the Metropol investment company, Andrei Rozhkov, believes that the Russian transport system, firstly its railway sector, needs modernization. “As of today, the flow of cargo between Europe and Asia is low, with goods travelling from one region to the other for more than a week, which is not approved by either of the sides. Besides, railroad transportation is quite costly, which is also a headache for companies. To improve the situation, the state-run Russian Railways company should take steps to modernize transport infrastructure, first of all, to increase the speed of its trains. This all, of course, requires investment”.

The process of modernization has started already. Russia has agreed the purchase of more than 200 new trains designed jointly by Transmashholding of Russia and Alstom of France. “The role of the Eurasian transport system will be increasing, - says Andrei Rozhkov. – The more sophisticated cargo transportation becomes, the more countries in Europe and Asia will be signing mutually beneficial contracts”.

Transport Week-2011 has attracted more than 3,000 officials and businessmen, as well some outstanding experts on transportation, including Anthony May, President, president of the World ConferenceonTransport Research.