Rustam Minnikhanov holds a series of meetings with representatives of international companies

On May 22, at their meeting during St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (“Lenexpo” Complex), Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in the Russian Federation of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Pierre Ferring discussed issues of further mutually beneficial cooperation.

Speaking at the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov invited Mr. Ambassador to visit the Republic of Tatarstan. “We are ready to arrange your visit in the nearest future,” he said and suggested to have closer acquaintance with traditions of the Tatar people and take part in the national holiday Sabantuy.

In the afternoon, Rustam Minnikhanov held a few meetings with representatives of international companies participating in St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Thus, there was a meeting with “METRO AG” Chairman of Board Olaf Koch and “METRO Cash & Carry” Management.

Rustam Minnikhanov was reported that the company has been in the Tatarstan market since 2004. Generally the bulk of investment in Russia accounts for development of “Cash & Carry” direction. “We are doing business to bring other companies to success, including small and medium business,” “METRO AG” representatives said. Today, the company is presented by “METRO Cash & Carry” chain stores, as well as “MediaMarkt” stores in Kazan and Naberezhnye Chelny.

“METRO AG” Management announced that it considers the possibility of expanding in the region, including opening new “Cash & Carry” stores.

In his turn, Rustam Minnikhanov suggested considering options for opening new outlets in cities with high purchasing power, in particular, in the oil capital of Tatarstan - Almetyevsk.

Later the same day, Tatarstan President met with “Gehl Architects” founding partner and architectural bureau leader Jan Gehl and discussed issues of urban planning, use of foreign countries experience in formation of modern cities and city infrastructure. Rustam Minnikhanov said that Strategies of Social and Economic Development of Tatarstan 2030 include further development of Kazan and Kazan agglomeration, as well as its suburbs and new projects – “Innopolis” satellite town and “Smart City Kazan”. “The city should be convenient for the citizens”, Rustam Minnikhanov said, “Works in improving Kazan districts and embankment area of the Kazanka River are being carried out.”

Jan Gehl shared his vision on the problem of urban planning in modern terms. Special attention was paid to such modern component as ecology. People do not exercise enough, Jan Gehl noted as well, that is why it is important to provide for availability of the public transport in the city and space for active leisure.

Rustam Minnikhanov invited the architect to visit Kazan for a detailed discussion of the urban planning. He added that recently an expert in urban planning, President of Institute for Transportation and Development Policy in New York Enrique Peñalosa had visited Kazan and gave a lecture on development of compact cities.