April 28 - The Russia Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Forum (RSILF) will be staged at the Marriott Grand Hotel, Moscow between May 1 -13.

To be hosted by Washington, DC-based CG/LA Infrastructure LLC, organisers say the timing of such a forum "could not be better" as, even by conservative estimates, Russia's annual infrastructure spend should be to the tune of USD36 billion, presenting tremendous opportunities to infrastructure market players across the board. The recent financial close of the USD2.1 billion Moscow-St. Petersburg highway - the first Russian road PPP to reach financial close that includes a bond issue guaranteed by the Russian government - signals a building momentum.

Among topics of interest to heavy lift and project cargo forwarders will be a study of the Sochi coastal infrastructure project - berths and process equipment of the Sochi Port cargo terminal on the Mzymta river. The confirmed attendees include a cross-section of Russia's public and private sector infrastructure project sponsors and operators.

Meanwhile, the port of Sochi is steaming ahead with its infrastructure development associated with the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in the city. The first ship to deliver construction materials, crushed stone, arrived at the port in early April.

When finished, the port will be able to accept two million tonnes of cargo per year, including breakbulk and general cargo, destined for the construction of Olympic facilities. The docks are equipped with four Liebherr mobile harbour cranes, handlers, front-lift and fork-lift trucks.

For more information on the forum visit http://www.cg-la.com/rsilf.