Rustam Minnikhanov at the Italy-Tatarstan Business Forum: The Forum is a good opportunity to discuss prospects for cooperation

On December 13, during his working visit to Milan, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the Italy-Tatarstan business forum.

Delivering his welcoming speech at the forum, Consul General of Russia in Milan Alexander Nurizade noted that Tatarstan is one of the dynamically developing regions of Russia. According to him, today there is an opportunity to talk about mutually beneficial cooperation at the interregional level.

In his turn, Minnikhanov greeted all the participants of the forum and thanked them for the interest in the republic. He expressed his gratitude to the leadership of Lombardy, the Industry Association of Italy and Lombardy, the Consulate General of Russia in Milan and all Italian and Russian organizers of the business forum.

"Our delegation includes heads of ministries and agencies, enterprises of Tatarstan. We expect that during our visit the business circles will open up new areas for cooperation and agree on joint projects. The forum is a good opportunity to discuss the current state and prospects for the development of cooperation between Tatarstan and Italy aimed at strengthening contacts between our countries," Minnikhanov said.

Despite the difficult political situation, we believe that the relations between Russia and Italy can remain constructive and the task of regional governments is to continue the dialogue and give the right signals to business, Minnikhanov continued.

"We hope that this visit will give a new impetus to the development of cooperation between Tatarstan and Italian companies," Tatarstan President said.

He continued that the republic is interested in attracting Italian business and capital, the leadership of Tatarstan will be glad to expand mutually beneficial relations and is ready to provide overall support.

Tatarstan President said that oil refining and petrochemical industry, machine-building, automotive industry and production of car components, tire production, IT and other high technology, agriculture, infrastructure projects and others are among the priority areas for cooperation.

"Tatarstan is one of the leading industrialized and agricultural regions in Russia. We produce and process oil, have the developed petrochemical industry, produce cars, airplanes, helicopters, ships. We export about 50 per cent of our industrial goods, focus on innovative development,” Minnikhanov continued.

We will be happy to develop cooperation with Italian business circles and look forward to constructive interaction, Tatarstan President stated.

Tatarstan and Italy have a great potential for cooperation, and we have to work together actively to make the best use of it, Minnikhanov added. He invited representatives of Italian business to visit Tatarstan as part of the business delegation to look into the possibilities for investment, assess the existing infrastructure for business development and launching production facilities. We are waiting for you in Tatarstan, Minnikhanov addressed the participants of the business forum.

Then, Minister of Industry and Trade of the republic Albert Karimov made a presentation of the industrial potential of the republic.