Rustam Minnikhanov: We are interested in cooperation with Latvia

Tatarstan companies are likely to be interested in cooperation with Latvia in transport and finance spheres, the Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov stated at a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Latvian Republic in Russian Federation Edgars Skuja.

Director of the Department for external relations – Aide to RT President Iskander Muflikhanov, Minister of industry and trade Ravil Zaripov, Chairman of Ak Bars bank Board Robert Musin and other officials attended the event at the Kazan Kremlin.

Head of republic thanked the ambassador for visiting Tatarstan with Latvian businessmen. He noted positive dynamics of trade turnover between Tatarstan and Latvia. However, the share of Latvian goods is still low and it should be increased, he added.

“We want you to consider opportunities of establishing enterprises in Tatarstan, using our sites - special economic zone, technoparks, and industrial parks. I believe that we would find many areas of common interest,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

Edgars Skuja informed that representatives of transport and financial spheres are on the delegation. During the meeting members of Latvian delegation offered Tatarstan leadership cooperation in banking sphere. Besides, Latvia is ready to render services on transit of Tatarstan goods via their sea ports. According to Latvian officials, Kazan may be included in the route of container transportation Nizhny Novgorod-Riga.

Rustam Minnikhanov expressed interest in suggested variants of cooperation. He offered Latvian bankers to meet with Tatarstan colleagues during the current visit. RT President also asked to present transport opportunities of Latvia at one of the next sessions of “Tatneftehiminvest-holding” Board.

Head of republic said he is willing to visit Latvian ports with chiefs of several Tatarstan enterprises in order to acquaint with competitive advantages and establish business relationships with Latvian businessmen.