Rustam Minnikhanov: Tatarstan and Indonesia have potential to enhance economic relations

On April 9, at his meeting with Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, co-chairman of Russia-Indonesia joint commission for trade-economic and technical cooperation Sofyan Djalil at the Kazan Kremlin, Acting President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan may become a good place for Indonesia to enter Russian market.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked Mr Djalil for the interest in Tatarstan as a Russian region and creation of conditions for cooperation on regional level within the framework of rapidly developing Russia-Indonesia relations. He noted that Indonesia is one of the most emerging economies in Southeast Asia and one of the most important partners of Russia.

Minnikhanov noted that exchange of delegations is an important part of work on establishing contacts and development of cooperation, and reminded that he visited Indonesia and Tatarstan-Indonesia business forum two years ago.

Rustam Minnikhanov briefly told about economy of Tatarstan noting that the main industries are oil production and refining, gas and chemical industry, and automotive production.

Speaking about areas of mutual cooperation, Minnikhanov noted that KAMAZ can set up production of trucks in Indonesia, whereas Indonesia can supply Tatarstan with electronics, textile, and agricultural products. Education and scientific work can also be prospective areas of cooperation.

Rustam Minnikhanov invited Indonesian colleagues to take part in annual international economic forum Kazansummit (June 15-16, Kazan).
As for tourism, visa-free entry to Indonesia for Russian tourist will increase tourist flow.

Sofyan Djalil expressed his confidence that Indonesia and Tatarstan will be able to efficiently develop relations within the framework of Russia-Indonesia cooperation.

“We positively estimate Russia-Indonesia relations, however, its potential is underestimated,” Sofyan Djalil said. He suggested paying more attention to establishing contacts with businessmen. He noted that more than 30 Indonesian businessmen came to Kazan to find out more about the region. “We are going to distribute among Indonesian businessmen information about cooperation with Tatarstan we will get during this visit ,” Sofyan Djalil said. He also supported the idea of increasing the number of students studying at Russian and Tatarstan universities and offered to send students from Tatarstan to Indonesian Islamic universities.

Ambassador of Russia to Indonesia Mikhail Galuzin told about aims and tasks of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group.