XXV International Scientific and Practical Conference “Smirnov Readings – 2026”

Faculty from the Department of Economy at Polotsk University and representatives of International Banking Institute named after Anatoliy Sobchak are collaborating on a research project “Developing Strategies for the Development of Border Regions in the Union State Based on the Integration of Sustainable Development Goals”.

The first day of the conference opened with a plenary session, during which the winners of the 24th St. Petersburg Open Competition in Memory of Professor V.N. Veniaminov for the Best Student Research were awarded.

The following Belarusian and Russian researchers presented papers at the conference:

• Semen Bogatyrev, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, and Professor at the Department of Economics, Management and Entrepreneurship of International Banking Institute named after Anatoliy Sobchak: “Teaching Financial Disciplines and Directions of Scientific Research at Universities Today”.
• Igor Klyuchnikov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, and Scientific Director of International Banking Institute named after Anatoliy Sobchak: “The Evolution of Financial Infrastructure”.
• Roman Levin, Candidate of Legal Sciences, Advisor, Secretary of the Standing Commission on Economy and Finance of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, and Executive Secretary of the Expert Council on Economy at the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly: “Modeling the Legislative Process within the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly as a Factor in Harmonizing the Legal Space and Eurasian Economic Integration: Theory and Judicial Practice of the Russian Federation”.
• Inga Zenkova, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Economy at Euphrosyne Polotskaya State University of Polotsk, presented on “Strategic Priorities for Socio-Economic Development and Technological Sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus”.

Inga Zenkova’s presentation focused on the key priorities of the Programme for Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Belarus for 2026 - 2030, addressing issues such as technological sovereignty, digital transformation, innovation, scientific and technological development, and the competitiveness of domestic products.

Interdisciplinary cooperation between Belarusian and Russian colleagues takes place in various formats, including participation in scientific and practical conferences, as well as joint publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index core collection and Scopus. This collaboration makes it possible to leverage the synergy between science and practice, thereby strengthening human capital and achieving strategic areas of growth.

The plenary session was also attended by faculty members of the Department of Economy and Electronic Economy students.

The second day of the conference took the form of a roundtable discussion on the theme “Tourism and Regional Development: Challenges and Prospects in Russia”. The event was attended by Anna Bobkova, a PhD student at Polotsk University specializing in Economy and Management of the National Industry. Her supervisor is Elena Sharafanova, Doctor in Economics, Professor at the Department of Economics, Management and Entrepreneurship at International Banking Institute named after Anatoliy Sobchak.

Anna Bobkova delivered a presentation on the topic “Cross-Border Industrial Tourism as a Factor in the Economic Integration of the Union State Countries”. The discussion was attended by Inga Zenkova, along with faculty and Business Administration students.