Tatarstan PM Ildar Khalikov speaks at APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting

A meeting of ministers from APEC countries on food security will favor ensuring food security, further consolidation and expansion of economic relations between Russia and APEC countries. Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov made such a statement welcoming attendees of the Food Security Ministerial Meeting within the framework of the Russia's APEC chairmanship.

To the point, the meeting takes place in Kazan on May 30-31 and is one of the final events in the context of discussing a priority task of the forum this year - strengthening of food security by APEC experts.

The forum is held at the Kazan academy of tennis.

Today’s session was opened by the RF Minister of agriculture Nikolay Fyodorov. He welcomed guests on behalf of the Russian Government and told about experience gained in the country in the sphere of food security. He noted that the country managed to return the status of one of the world’s largest exporters of cereals.

Nikolay Fyodorov believes that economies of APEC countries with greater part of population and world’s output bear special responsibility for building reliable mechanisms of providing sustained food security.

Interaction with APEC countries in the sphere of food security is one of the priorities of the Russia's APEC chairmanship, Nikolay Fyodorov said.

Head of RF Ministry of agriculture thanked the Tatarstan leadership for an opportunity to organize the APEC Food Security Ministerial Meeting in Kazan.

Tatarstan PM Ildar Khalikov welcomed attendees of the event on behalf of the RT President and Government. He told about social and economic situation in republic saying that Tatarstan is one of the leading intensively developing regions in Russia.

“Republic is situated in the heart of Russia at the crossing of important trade routes connecting Europe and Asia. According to results 2011, Tatarstan is on the top of the rating of 30 best Russian regions for running business and making investments (in accordance with Forbes version). There is a wide, diverse infrastructure for promoting business development which comprises SEZ Alabuga, technopolis Himgrad, industrial parks, the largest in Europe high-technology technopark IT-park, business incubators, investment and venture funds,” Ildar Khalikov informed.

The PM wished participants of the meeting successful work and pleasant stay in Kazan.

Ministers representing agricultural, farming, foodstuff, forestry and fishery sectors from Mexico, Japan, Malaysia made reports at the meeting.