Tatarstan President meets with First Secretary of Qingdao Municipal Party Committee

On May 21, at their meeting in Qingdao, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and First Secretary of Qingdao Municipal Party Committee, Member of Shandong Province Party Committee Mr. Li Qun discussed promising areas of cooperation between Tatarstan and Shandong Province.

Aide to Tatarstan President on International Issues Radik Gimatdinov, Chief Executive of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Linar Yakupov, First Deputy Board Chairman of OAO “Ak Bars Bank” Zufar Garaev, Director General of SEZ “Alabuga” Timur Shagivaleev took part in the meeting.

Li Qun welcomed members of Tatarstan delegation and said that APEC Trade Ministers Meeting, which was also attended by representatives of the Russian Federation, was held on May 17-18 in Qingdao.

Li Qun told Rustam Minnikhanov about the economy of the city. He said that a factory for production of household appliances of Haier company is one of the largest enterprises in Qingdao. Moreover, there are high-speed railway rolling stock manufacturing plant and other production facilities in the city. Qingdao has a well-developed banking sector as well.

“We are willing to develop cooperation with Tatarstan in different areas,” Li Qun said, addressing Rustam Minnikhanov.

Tatarstan President, in his turn, said that yesterday he took part in the talks of the leaders of Russia and China. “Our presidents focus on strengthening our relations and expanding contacts. And there are opportunities for our cooperation,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

According to him, in addition to huge industrial potential, Qingdao has ample opportunities in tourism.

Rustam Minnikhanov told Li Qun about Tatarstan economy. He promised that Tatarstan leadership will provide all necessary assistance to establish Haier production facilities in the republic. “A lot of European and America companies are doing business in the republic. However, the cooperation with China is not so developed. Therefore, we are paying particular attention to this project, which should become a good impetus for other Chinese investors as well,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

Tatarstan President also told about possibilities of SEZ “Alabuga” and invited Chinese companies to set up their production facilities there.

"We need to intensify the work of our business structures. Our entrepreneurs should know each other's capabilities better. We should exchange business delegations between us. I believe that the Russian market is very promising and interesting for Chinese companies,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

"We know that Chinese people are keen on travelling and Tatarstan is a very attractive place. And our residents could also visit Qingdao,” Rustam Minnikhanov commented on the prospects of cooperation between the two regions in the tourist sphere.

He also suggested drawing attention to education. "320 students from China are studying in Tatarstan, and this number should increase. And at the same time, we should also send our students to China," Tatarstan President said.

He proposed to develop a special student exchange program with China, noting that students will become guides of mutual business contacts between the two countries in future.

"I think there are a lot of areas of cooperation and we hope to develop them," Rustam Minnikhanov concluded.

"I am also sure that we have great potential for cooperation. The project of Haier company in Tatarstan is just the beginning.” Li Qun agreed with Tatarstan President.