Marat Akhmetov: Kazan Agropark turnover made 1.1 bln roubles in 2015

On February 27, at Tatarstan Government House speaking at a video-conference meeting held by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov with participation of all municipal regions of the republic, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Agriculture and Food of the republic Marat Ahkemtov reported on the work of the Kazan Agro-industrial Park.

Akmetov reminded that 2.5 years have passes since the opening of the Kazan Agropark. 

Last year showed positive financial results of the park activity, with its annual turnover making 1.1 bln roubles (which is almost three times more than in 2014) and the product range of 20000 items.  In 2015 3.2 million people (this figure is 1.3 times higher than in 2014) visited the park, housing 261 residents. Totally, 700 jobs were created.

In 2015 the park implemented the programme to improve energy-efficiency, which allowed cutting energy expenses by 15 per cent.

The reconstruction of auxiliary areas was conducted to earn additional income.

In 2015 the Agropark management stepped up its efforts to attract rural producers, as well as by organizing regular outdoor meetings.

"Our farmers have the priority right in the distribution of shop counters in areas with the highest customer traffic. For those who are not in position to trade all the time, there are places for one-day trade. At weekends, farmers may sell their products at the fair site, without paying the rent," Akhmetov said.

Akhmetov said that great importance is given to the quality of imported products, with a veterinary laboratory complex being one of the most modern in Kazan, which allows offering products of the highest quality.

Increasing production volumes of meat and vegetable processing facilities, expanding the product range and increasing farm production outlet, increasing the sales volume of regional products are among priority tasks for 2016.

Minnikhanov has given an errand to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the republic to study Russian and foreign experience of using the Kazan Agropark facilities, without changing its target purpose.