Rustam Minnikhanov: “We want very much for major Tatarstan companies to be present on Asia market”

“We want very much for Tatarstan’s major industrial companies to be present on the Asian market.” The Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov has today said it in an interview with the Channel News Asia in Singapore during the 5th Russia-Singapore business forum.

Singapore is interesting for Russia in general, as well as for its regions, Rustam Minnikhanov holds. Tatarstan is in particular under represented in Asia as a manufacturer of petrochemical products. The Republic of Tatarstan is the largest producer of polymers, polyethylene, polystyrenes and synthetic rubber, the president’s press service says.

“We would of course like the major companies like Tatneft, Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Kazanorgsintez and auto maker Kamaz to be present on the Asian market. Events like the Russia-Singapore business forum offer an excellent opportunity to show off, present our economic potential and have business contacts with potential partners,” the Tatar president noted.

While answering the question about the possible areas of cooperation with Singapore firms, Rustam Minnikhanov said they are first of all projects on education, modernising the education system, as well as IT projects. He went on to recall Tatarstan and RSP Architect Planners&Engineers PTE Ltd had earlier in the day signed a memorandum of understanding, providing for involving Singapore specialists in developing the concept of an IT Village.

Besides, Rustam Minnikhanov said, Tatarstan and Singapore have signed 4 more agreements within reforming the education system. “Singapore is the world leader in the quality of school education, and we plan to learn from this experience,” Rustam Minnikhanov stated.

According to the Tatarstan President, the republic is interested in the Singapore’s stock and financial markets. “There is a great scope of activities for our companies in this area, including promoting Tatarstan companies’s stakes.”