President of Tatarstan speaks at Gaidarov forum

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov told about measures that can be taken in Russian regions to provide competitiveness at global markets at a plenary discussion of the International conference “Russia and the world” within the framework of Gaidarov forum in Moscow.

Gaidarov forum is a constantly developing discussion platform and a meeting place of experts influencing economic and political development. Various ideas and approaches to understanding global processes happening in Russia and in the world are discussed at the forum.

Gaidarov forum includes different events. This year the international conference “Russia and the world: challenges of integration” is held on January 16-19. Issues of Russia’s integration into the global trade are being discussed at the conference.

Chairman of the RF State Duma Sergei Naryshkin noted that the conference was held in the Year of Russia’s chairmanship in G20. Besides, it is the first Gaidarov forum after Russia’s joining the WTO. Thus, main issue discussed at the forum is integration of the Russian economy into global space.

Sergei Naryshkin emphasized that Russia requires development of economic institutions and formation of efficient tools for economic development.

Board Chairman of OAO ROSNANO Anatoly Chubais told about his vision of advantages and disadvantages of the Russian economy on the global level. He noted that on the one hand, Russia’s macroeconomic indicators were very good, on the other hand, conditions offered to investors in the country were not favourable enough.

Board Chairman of OAO ROSNANO supposes that the country should pass from resource-based to innovative economy that cannot be realized without state participation.

Moderator of the discussion Sergei Naryshkin asked Rustam Minnikhanov if the efficient positioning of a certain Russian region was possible at the global market.

“A region is not able to do it alone. Thus, I’m presenting Association of innovative regions of Russia,” he said.

Being Board Chairman of the Association of innovative regions of Russia he told about activity of the Association.

According to the data presented by Rustam Minnikhanov, 12 regions-members of the association attracted 2 bln dollars of foreign investments. Total costs of regions for innovations make 26 percent of All-Russia figures. The share of innovative produce in economy of these regions makes 9 percent.

Rustam Minnikhanov told about measures taken in Tatarstan on increasing competitiveness at global markets. In particular, modernization of enterprises, increase in labour productivity, creation of new innovative industries.

By industrial output Tatarstan takes 5th place and 4th place by investments in basic capital in Russia. Foreign companies such as Daimler, Ford, Rockwool, ZF chose Tatarstan as the region for investments. Major modernization measures are taken in petrochemical industry.

“Enterprises must understand that under conditions of global competence their success depends on efficient work. Russia’s joining the WTO is a new challenge to our enterprises. Tatarstan being the region exporting half of industrial output is interested in quick adaptation to new conditions,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

New spheres are also developing in Tatarstan. Thus, two IT parks were founded for developing IT companies, Innopolis is under construction. Another prospective area is nanotechnologies. Several projects are being implemented in cooperation with ROSNANO.

According to the RT President, key component of Tatarstan’s competitiveness is developed small and medium-size business. Rustam Minnikhanov believes that human resources are also very important.

Besides, preparation of Kazan for Universiade favours increase of region’s competitiveness and investment attractiveness.