Rustam Minnikhanov at the meeting with Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Russia Barbara Habberjam: We have opportunity to cooperate in different spheres

On December 5, at their meeting at Tatarstan Government House, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Russia Barbara Habberjam discussed issues of cooperation in the sphere of sport, preparation and holding of international sports competitions.

Rustam Minnikhanov said that after World student games that were held in Kazan in 2013, the capital of Tatarstan has become more recognizable in the world. “Due to Universiade we gained wide experience in holding international sports competitions, and we will host World Aquatics Championship in 2015, FIFA Confederations Cup, Judo Championship and matches of World football cup in 2018.

Minnikhanov noted that there are 17 companies registered with foreign capital in the republic, and the largest is ICL-KPO VS. “The foreign trade turnover between Tatarstan and Great Britain has been developing quite well, and it is important to maintain positive dynamics,” he said.

Minnikhanov considers that cooperation in the sphere of education is important and many students from Tatarstan study at British universities.

Barbara Habberjam noted that it was not her first visit to Tatarstan, and all her colleagues always say that it is one of the most favourable regions for doing business in Russia. She was also impressed by the presentation of economic and investment potential of the republic that was held on November 27 at Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I assessed your economic potential, dynamics of development, and extensive contacts with foreign investors,” she said.
On December 4, Barbara Habberjam visited Kazan IT-park and she is willing to visit Innopolis site. She suggested focusing on cooperation in the sphere of sports events, and introduced participants of the meeting with wide experience in this sphere.

Representatives of companies working in the sphere of private air services, communications, marketing and PR made presentations and told about projects they were involved in, such as the Olympic Games in London, winter Olympic Games in Sochi and World Football Cup in Brazil.

Summing up, Barbara Habberjam said: “We will be glad to share our experience of using London heritage, also in the long-term when sports venues help involving more people into mass sports. I am sure that this visit will contribute to development of cooperation and establishment of new contacts, we are waiting for new meetings and are want British and Tatarstan businessmen and companies to work together.