Rustam Minnikhanov: “We make decisions about privatization based on current tasks”

On January 15, at a panel discussion "Real sector of economy: the way to efficiency" within the framework of Gaidar forum 2015 in Moscow, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that leadership of the republic is ready to consider privatization of enterprises with state participation with a reliable strategic partner.

Speaker of Russian State Duma Sergey Naryshkin was the moderator of the discussion.

President of OAO “Russian railways” Vladimir Yakunin , Russian Minister of Industry Trade Denis Manturov, Prime Minister of Finland Esko Aho, and rector of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration Vladimir Mau expressed their opinions about participation of the state in economy, outsourcing opportunities for government companies, state-financed and defence industry organizations.

Speaking at the panel discussion, Sergey Naryshkin noted that Tatarstan has gained considerable experience in passing infrastructure to private businesses, and asked Rustam Minnikhanov to tell more about it.

Rustam Minnikhanov told that a number of large enterprises are in the ownership of the republic, and regional leadership makes decisions about share sales if there is a strategic partner willing to develop the business. “We make all decisions based on the current tasks. Regional authorities should be vitally concerned with economic development no matter what type of business is it, private or state. Engineering infrastructure, highly skilled personnel are required for attracting investors. And these first steps should be taken by the state. That is what we do in Tatarstan,” Minnikhanov said.

“We are very concerned about the current situation. I held a meeting with industrial workers and employees of banks three days ago. We see that everything has stopped. Credit rates are very high, unemployment is going up for the first time. Therefore, I am asking Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and Russian Government to find some efficient solutions,” Tatarstan President said addressing Denis Manturov.