Rustam Minnikhanov and Michal Rutkowski discuss issues of further cooperation between Tatarstan and World Bank

President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and Director of the World Bank in Russia, permanent representative of the World Bank in Moscow Michal Rutkowski have discussed issues of further cooperation between Tatarstan and the World Bank.

The meeting was held in the House of RT Government with participation of RT Minister of education and science Albert Gilmutdinov, RT Minister of economy Midkhat Shagiakhmetov, Head of Investment Development Agency Linar Yakupov, Aide to RT President Anatoly Krasnov.

Opening the event, Rustam Minnikhanov briefly told the guest about social and economic development of the Republic of Tatarstan. Summarizing the results of 2011, gross regional product of republic made 1,25 trillion roubles, volume of industrial output – 1,3 trillion roubles, capital investment – 10 bln euro.

Major projects being realized in Tatarstan are JSC TANECO (Nizhnekamsk), JSC Ammoni (Mendeleevsk), Sollers-Ford.

Along with economic growth life quality is also improving in republic, Rustam Minnikhanov said. Reforms in the sphere of education, health care are implemented in Tatarstan, historical and cultural monuments are being restored.

“It is your first visit to Kazan. We are to tell you about our projects, discuss our future plans, make alterations in our joint projects, and expand our cooperation are interested in. We have to set up a strategy and find partners for realization of several projects,” Rustam Minnikhanov addressed Michal Rutkowski.

Michal Rutkowski in turn thanked for organization of his visit and many useful meetings. He said that specialists were impressed by economic development of Tatarstan and those modernization processes happening at industrial enterprises.

“The World Bank was glad to help Tatarstan in achieving its goals,” Michal Rutkowski said adding that the bank is ready to continue contributing in social and economic development of republic.

Michal Rutkowski informed that the bank had approved the strategy of interaction with Russia for 2012-2016 years. In particular, it is meant that the World Bank will interact directly with regions and districts of Russia.

During the meeting Rustam Minnikhanov suggested assigning representatives of the bank who would work with Tatarstan in relevant areas (education, science, maintenance of cultural heritage).

Michal Rutkowski marked as well that two agreements would be signed between Tatarstan and the World Bank today. The first one will be singed between the World Bank and Ministry of education and science on granting consulting services in the context of technical maintenance for realization of the program “Electronic education” in RT, the second one - between the World Bank and state unitary enterprise “Tatarstan center of scientific-technical information” on granting consulting services in terms of developing the market of intellectual property in RT.

The parties also discussed possible cooperation within the confines of developing cultural heritage and cultural educational tourism.