President of Tatarstan speaks at Jeddah economic forum

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov visited Saudi Arabia and participated in opening of Jeddah international economic forum. Jeddah international economic forum is held for the 13th time. About three thousand delegates take part in the event. This year main subject of discussion is provision of expanding population with housing and necessary infrastructure.

Chairman of Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce and Industry sheikh Kamel Saleh, Minister of Construction Sovas Al Duaihi, emir of Mecca Khaled Faisal delivered speeches at the opening ceremony.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov addressed participants of the forum. He said that this year Jeddah economic forum is dedicated to a very urgent problem – construction of infrastructure and new cities to meet needs of the expanding population and investments in this sphere. Experts say that Saudi Arabia construction market is a very promising sector where major infrastructure projects are implemented in cooperation with government and private sector.

Rustam Minnikhanov said: “Nowadays Saudi Arabia is considered around the world as one of most attractive partners for establishing economic contacts. We have come to the forum in order to confirm readiness of Russia and Tatarstan for developing cooperation with Saudi Arabia in trade-economic, technology, cultural and humanitarian spheres.”

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, development of construction and infrastructure sphere enabled Tatarstan to get to a new level and meet needs of the expanding population in housing, social objects and transport infrastructure. To the point, a major project that implies construction of a satellite city “Innopolis” for 155 thousand residents is being implemented in Kazan. The project “Smart City Kazan” will become Tatarstan’s landmark.

“We are effectively cooperating with Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Islamic Development Bank, Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” Rustam Minnikhanov continued.

“We express special gratitude to Saudi leadership for attention paid to Russian and Tatarstan delegations. We appreciate hospitality of emir of Mecca Khaled Faisal,” President of Tatarstan said.

Rustam Minnikhanov also addressed words of gratitude and respect to the King of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and royal prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.