EEF 2026 participants: Far East changed significantly, but housing and investment barriers remain key challenges

The VCIOM Analytical Centre and the Roscongress Foundation presented the results of a survey of participants at the 2026 Eastern Economic Forum, focusing on perceptions of the Far East’s development, the macro-region’s investment potential, the housing agenda, and an assessment of the Forum itself.

According to the survey results, Forum participants generally view the changes that have taken place in the Far East in recent years in a positive light: 60% believe that there have been significant changes in the region’s development over the past 10 years, whilst a further 34% report only minor changes. Only 2% believe that no changes have taken place.

According to survey respondents, the most significant changes have taken place in the tourism and hospitality sector (49%), as well as in transport and infrastructure (35%), international cooperation (33%), and digital technologies and artificial intelligence (29%).

Among the areas which, according to Forum participants, could ensure sustainable growth in the Far East, the leading ones are: the development of tourism and cruise tourism (37%); the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (36%); investment in border infrastructure and transport (27%); the agro-industrial sector and fish product logistics (22%). At the same time, the image of the Far East’s development as perceived by EEF participants is primarily associated with the characteristics ‘stable’ (33%) and ‘priority’ (24%). A further 18% describe these processes as slow, whilst 13% describe them as ahead of schedule.

The timeframe for these expectations remains largely medium-term: 37% believe that the Far East could become one of Russia’s most developed and prosperous regions in 5–10 years’ time, whilst a further 30% believe this will happen in 15–20 years’ time. Meanwhile, 16% believe that the Far East has already become one of Russia’s most developed regions.

The majority of participants in the 2026 Eastern Economic Forum believe that, for the Far East to achieve breakthrough development, it is necessary to attract investment from other countries, albeit to a limited extent. The overwhelming majority (93%) are convinced that foreign investment is needed. However, when it comes to the scale of such investment, the most popular options are up to 20% (28%) and up to 30% (26%).

Among the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Forum participants identified China as the most promising destination for investment cooperation – 73% of those surveyed chose it. This was followed by South Korea (26%), India (25%), and Japan (23%).

At the same time, 70% of respondents believe that there are factors in the Far East which significantly hinder investment activity. The main barriers include sanctions and associated political risks – 39%; inadequate infrastructure and logistical problems – 37%; high competition from neighbouring countries and regions – 25%; poor quality of services – 24%; low level of interest in the development of the Far East / unfavourable location – 24%.

The sectors most likely to attract the greatest inflow of investment are tourism – 44%; fisheries and aquaculture – 33%; transport and logistics – 32%; and aircraft and shipbuilding – 24%.

According to the survey respondents, the issue of housing is directly linked not only to quality of life, but also to demographics, the economy and the investment appeal of the Far East.

85% of those surveyed believe that the state of the housing stock has a significant impact on the region’s social development, with 44% stating that the impact is very significant. Meanwhile, 86% of Forum participants describe the housing issue in the Far East as a pressing one. A further 85% are convinced that housing issues have a significant impact on the demographic situation in the macro-region.

Among the main benefits of improving the housing stock, EEF participants most frequently cited: increasing the region’s attractiveness as a place to live and retaining young people and skilled workers – 38%; reducing social tensions – 28%; improving the demographic situation and increasing the birth rate – 27%; stimulating growth in related sectors – 26%; increasing the region’s investment appeal and improving the city’s aesthetic appearance – 25% each.

Nine out of ten respondents state that there are barriers to improving the ‘housing situation’ in the Far East. The most significant barriers identified are: low purchasing power amongst the population – 34%; dilapidated public infrastructure – 26%; the high cost and long delivery times for building materials, machinery and equipment – 25%; a shortage of skilled labour – 24%; high energy tariffs – 23%; and out-migration and uncertainty regarding demand – 21%.

Consequently, the housing agenda in the Far East is viewed by participants at the Eastern Economic Forum as a multifaceted challenge, involving infrastructure, human resources, economic and investment constraints all at once.

Participants at the Eastern Economic Forum consider the following to be the top priorities for housing development in the Far East: the development of engineering and social infrastructure – 39%; renovation of the existing housing – 39%; the development of private housing construction – 35%; the development of corporate housing with the involvement of large businesses – 31%; and the development of the rental market – 29%.

When asked about the most suitable form of housing development for the next five years, Forum participants most frequently chose: mid-rise complexes – 40%; low-rise residential complexes – 25%; high-rise apartment complexes – 23%; and private housing construction – 9%.

This indicates a demand not only for increased construction volumes, but also for a more balanced model of housing development, tailored to regional conditions.

Almost half of the EEF participants (48%) believe that there is generally not enough information available to the public about Far East development programmes, whilst 41% believe that there is generally enough.

Among the measures and programmes with the most significant impact, Forum participants highlighted: subsidies for air travel from the Far East and within the region – 41% believe this measure had a strong impact; the ‘Far East and Arctic Mortgage’ – 38%; the National Programme for the Socio-Economic Development of the Far East until 2035 – 37%; the Far Eastern Hectare – 35%; and the Presidential Unified Far Eastern Subsidy – 35%.

Six out of ten participants consider the Forum’s thematic scope to be more or less adequate, whilst 32% stated the opposite. The main reasons for participating in the EEF: to learn about new ideas and projects – 65%; to establish relationships with key Forum participants – 32%; to present their own ideas and projects – 21%; to find business partners in Russia – 15%; to find business partners from other countries – 13%.

When asked to assess the likelihood of establishing business contacts at the Forum, 20% of respondents said this had already happened, a further 27% were fully confident that it would happen, and 33% believed it was likely to happen. Thus, 80% of participants view the business potential of the EEF positively to various degrees.

Furthermore, 69% of participants attending the Forum for the first time are either already planning to take part next year (45%), are leaning towards doing so but will make a decision later (14%), or are already firmly committed to continuing their participation as returning visitors.

The Eastern Economic Forum is taking place on 1–4 September in Vladivostok on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University. The main theme of the EEF is ‘The Far East: Development for the Benefit of People’. The event is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation.