Rustam Minnikhanov: Entrepreneurship is an important part of the regional and national economy

On May 26, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met with representatives of business community. The meeting was held on Day of Russian Entrepreneur that is celebrated annually on May 26.

The event themed “Business and Authorities. Frank Talk” was organized by the Institute of the commissioner for protection of entrepreneurs’ rights under Tatarstan President.

Opening the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov noted that  entrepreneurship is an important part of the regional and national economy, because small and medium-size businesses create new jobs and generate added value. The share of small and medium-size businesses in the gross regional product (GRP) of the republic is 25 % and our task is to increase it up to 35-40 %, which requires a lot of efforts, Tatarstan President said. We talk a lot about business and it would be nice if as much was done for its development and support, Rustam Minnikhanov continued.

Commissioner for Tatarstan President for Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights Timur Nagumanov stated that he has received more than 100 questions from the business representatives during the preparation for the meeting between Tatarstan President and businessmen of the republic. He suggested that respective ministries and departments should answer these queries following the results of the meeting.

In particular, entrepreneurs and officials talked about the participation of small and medium-size businesses in government procurement, organization of new projects in the field of polymer production, creation of public business councils in municipalities, as well as development of the ethnic cuisine as an alternative to "McDonald’s".

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that today McDonald's is doing very well and has a lot of buyers. Besides, McDonald's chain is a major consumer of the local products and creates new jobs in the region, he reminded. As for the ethnic cuisine, we need to develop this area, Tatarstan President said.

At the end of the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov presented state awards to a number of the most distinguished entrepreneurs (Medal of the Republic of Tatarstan "For Valorous Labor", Letters of Gratitude of Tatarstan President).