Rustam Minnikhanov: “We will be glad to see ambassadors of foreign states in Tatarstan”

On November 27, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Chairman of Tatarstan State Council Farid Mukhametshin, deputies of the State Duma, members of Tatarstan Government, and heads of Tatarstan major enterprises took part in the presentation of the Republic of Tatarstan for ambassadors of foreign states accredited at Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Before the presentation participants of the event could read information about the republic presented on special stands.

Opening the meeting, Sergey Lavrov said that the Republic of Tatarstan is a unique region of Russian Federation, where different cultures meet and representatives of different nationalities live peacefully together.

“Tatarstan is one of the most successful and rapidly developing regions in the country, and one of top 5 regions according to certain economic indicators. The republic has rich mineral resources, developed industry, infrastructure, and educational organizations,” he added.

Speaking about work of regional authorities on international arena, Sergey Lavrov noted that Tatarstan is working with traditional foreign trade partners, - the USA, China, and India, and expanding cooperation with the Near East, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. There are about 1400 joint enterprises with foreign participation in the republic. The minister stressed that the republic can be proud of not only economic achievements, but its culture and history.

Sergey Lavrov called names of famous people, who were born, lived and worked in Tatarstan - Nikolay Lobachevsky, Maksim Gorky, Fedor Shalyapin, Vasily Aksenov.

“I am sure that participants of the presentation will be glad to know more about the Republic of Tatarstan, its trade and investment potential, history, culture, and traditions of this wonderful Russian region,” Lavrov said.

Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed participants of the presentation and thanked them for their interest expressed in the republic.

“I would like to express my special gratitude to Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and personally Sergey Lavrov for years-long support of international relations of the republic,” Minnikhanov said. He also noted that every Russian region has its own competitive advantages, and effective use of these advantages guarantees successful economic development of Russia. Historically Tatarstan is located between East and West, Europe and Asia, where Orthodoxy and Islam meet.

“High level of tolerance is our competitive advantage,” Minnikhanov said.

According to Tatarstan President, much attention is paid to preservation of rich historical heritage in the republic, the Kazan Kremlin and Bolgar were included in UNESCO World Heritage List.

Minnikhanov told about main sectors of Tatarstan economy, - oil production, oil refining, petrochemistry, and mechanical engineering. Regional leadership puts much emphasis on innovative development. Therefore, two special economic zones, industrial parks, technoparks, and engineering centers were created in the republic. Kazan is one of scientific and educational centers in Russia. There is the Academy of sciences, 30 higher educational institutions in the republic, with 200, 000 students including 5,500 foreigners studying there.

The republic is actively developing international and foreign economic relations with 130 countries, and there are 15 foreign representative offices. Last year the foreign trade turnover of Tatarstan made 900 billion roubles. According to top rating agencies, the republic is one of investment-attractive regions in Russia. The republic participates in integration processes in Eurasia, effectively cooperates with Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Minnikhanov also told about cultural achievements of the republic, and major sport events held in Tatarstan, - World Aquatics Championship and World Football Championship 2018.

Deputy of the State Duma Vasily Likhachev read out greetings on behalf of Chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin and Tatarstan Vice-premier – Minister of Industry and Trade Ravil Zaripov made a detailed presentation about Tatarstan economy.