NIGERIA, Dec. 3 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session of the Russia Calling! forum. It was the 16th VTB Investment Forum held on December 2, under the theme - Reaching Higher: Bold Choices for the New Economy. As a good tradition, the event brought together entrepreneurs and investors from dozens of countries for a substantive dialogue on issues pertinent to business and directly influencing the development of trade and investment ties with foreign states.

Here are some of the key points:

First and foremost, Putin agreed with the fact that there must be global competition. Nevertheless, Russia has to strategically work with the business community, operate in a sufficiently cohesive and effective manner. Putin...