Rustam Minnikhanov answers questions of representatives of federal and foreign media agencies during Kazansummit forum

On June 15, at his meeting with representatives of federal and foreign media agencies during Kazansummit forum, Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that Islamic banking and finances are real mechanisms that can be used in banking sphere in our country.

The meeting took place at Korston hotel with the participation of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Chief Executive Taliya Minullina, Head of the Presidential Department for internal policy Aleksandr Terentiev, and Head of Tatarstan President’s Press Office Andrei Kuzmin.

Representatives of the agencies asked Rustam Minnikhanov about development of relations with the Islamic world, promotion of Islamic financial tools and cooperation with Islamic Development Bank.

Minnikhanov said that Organization of Islamic Cooperation is a solid global organization with 57 member countries.

“We are not separated from the Islamic world, we count on its support and cooperation for the benefit of our country. Guests from 46 countries have come to Kazansummit, which means the forum has gained its reputation,” Minnikhanov said.

He stressed that President of Islamic Development Bank Ahmed Mohamed Ali Al-Madani was taking part in the forum.

“I hope that negotiations of Ahmed Mohamed Ali Al-Madani and Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina will be successful tomorrow,” Minnikhanov added.

Answering the question whether Tatarstan would become the center of Islamic banking of Russia, Rustam Minnikhanov said: “We will not mind if it happens. But we should work hard.”

Interim President of the republic noted that Tatarstan follows federal laws that do not imply the use of Islamic banking yet, therefore, certain changes need to be introduced in the federal legislation first.

He also answered the questions regarding attraction of foreign investments in economic sectors, especially agriculture as food safety is one of the most topical issues these days.

Other questions concerned advanced technologies in education and staff training.

“Human capital is the most important thing today, it is our competitive advantage, and we train our personnel in accordance with modern economic requirements. Our regional universities closely cooperate with industrial enterprises to know recruitment needs. We want our universities to be research centers, and innovations to become practical,” Rustam Minnikhanov summarized.