World Bank to cooperate with Tatarstan on issues of preservation of historical and cultural heritage

President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov has met with Managing Director of the World Bank Ms Sri Mulyani Indrawati in St.Petersburg.

The meeting was held within the framework of St.Petersburg International economic forum (Lenexpo).

The parties discussed issues of further cooperation in the sphere of realizing social, educational and infrastructure projects.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the bank’s management for the project being now realized in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny with their participation (the World Bank grant). Tatarstan has got serious experience of interaction with the World Bank, he said.

Then, Rustam Minnikhanov and Sri Mulyani Indrawati discussed problems of Russia’s WTO entry.

The process of Russia’s WTO entry is rather painful for the country, but the political decision was made and we have to get prepared, Rustam Minnikhanov said. In addition, he reminded about the session held within the APEC forum in Kazan in May where the mentioned issue had been discussed.

The Tatarstan President said there is another new area for cooperation – projects in the sphere of preservation of historical and cultural heritage. “We would like to use the bank’s experience in this area, he said. Nowadays it is important to preserve objects of historical and cultural heritage, restore them and make accessible for tourists. In general, it will make Tatarstan more recognizable in the world.

The Managing Director of the World Bank considers preservation of historical heritage to be an important project and powerful point of attraction for tourists. “We are ready to render support. Taking into account the experience of our interaction we are ready to consider other areas of cooperation,” she said.

Finally, Rustam Minnikhanov stated that established contacts and competent specialists of the World Bank help both parties working efficiently. He also invited Ms Sri Mulyani Indrawati to visit Tatarstan during one of her visits to Russia.