Chief of Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service called Kazan antimonopoly capital of Russia

A plenary session dedicated to the Competition Day was held in Kazan.

Chief of the Federal Antimonopoly Service Igor Artemiev made a keynote report “Increasing efficiency of antimonopoly supervision in the context of globalization of the global economy”.

The session was opened by the Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov. He welcomed participants of the meeting in the Tatarstan capital. “It is a high privilege for us to hold such a big international event. Protection of competition, creation of favourable conditions for its development, and struggle with negative monopolistic displays are considered urgent problems today. With joining WTO, Russia faces new opportunities,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

He also noted that Tatarstan is one of the most rapidly developing regions in Russia and cooperates with many countries. The Tatarstan President informed that according to Forbes ranking 2011, Tatarstan was number one among 30 best Russian regions for doing business and investment.

Rustam Minnikhanov told that Tatarstan offers a wide and diverse infrastructure for promoting business development - SEZ Alabuga, technopolis Himgrad, industrial parks, technoparks, IT-park, business incubators, etc. Besides, a big agro-industrial park is being constructed in Kazan.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted as well that much emphasis is put on development of small and medium-size business and transport infrastructure in republic.

Speaking about economy, the Tatarstan President informed that Tatarstan’s GRP volume made 1.25 trillion roubles in 2011. By 2016, it must reach 2 trillion roubles. Positive dynamics in the social sector is observed in republic, - life expectancy soared to 72 years old. Tatarstan is a multi-ethnic republic with 115 ethnic groups living on its territory, the Tatarstan President noted as well.

Further, President of Tatarstan told about Tatarstan’s biggest industrial enterprises and projects under implementation.

Finishing his speech, Rustam Minnikhanov wished guests to enjoy their time in the 1000th Kazan and successful work.

“Kazan is the capital of antimonopoly Russia today,” Igor Artemiev said. He noted that the main point of the strategy of the Federal Antimonopoly Service for 10 years is to be in line with global practices.

“Competitive policy in all aspects aims to protect welfare of customers,” Chairman of OECD Competition Committee Frédéric Jenny said. He noted that he is glad to be in Kazan at the opening of the training center of Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service.

During the plenary session dedicated to the Russian Competition Day Frédéric Jenny handed the badge “Honorable worker of the Russian antimonopoly bodies”, the biggest departmental award, to Rustam Minnikhanov.