President of Tatarstan meets with Finnish business delegation

Expansion of cooperation, realisation of new projects of Finnish companies in Tatarstan, opening of direct flight connection have been discussed at a meeting of the Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov with the Finnish business delegation led by the Minister for European affairs and foreign trade Aleksander Stubb. Prime Minister of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov was present at the meeting.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked Aleksander Stubb for organisation of the visit of the Finnish business delegation. He noted that the foreign trade turnover between Tatarstan and Finland had increased. Last year the growth made 17 percent, whereas this year it continues rising.

The Tatarstan President supposes that Tatarstan and Finland have great cooperation potential. He said that republican leadership would like to see Finnish industrial companies in Tatarstan. Moreover, Finnish businessmen may be interested in work on the territory of IT city Innopolis being created near Kazan.

President of republic considers tourism to be rather perspective sphere for cooperation. Rustam Minnikhanov thanked the Finnish party for opening a visa center in Kazan and noted that the direct flight connection would help to increase the tourist flow. Rustam Minnikhanov also thanked for attention paid to Tatars living in Finland.

The Minister for European affairs and foreign trade Aleksander Stubb told that he visited Kazan for the first time but he had heard a lot about republic from his father, a hockey player, and ex-president of Finland Tarja Halonen.

Aleksander Stubb informed that the delegation consisted of 30 businessmen representing construction, energy sectors, and heavy industry. Members of the delegation told about activity of their companies.

Finally, the Tatarstan President wished members of the Finnish delegation successful work in Kazan.

Today members of the delegation will participate in Tatarstan-Finland Business Forum and visit IT-park. Republican projects and Tatarstan’s investment potential will be presented to them.