President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Russia Margaret Twomey discuss cooperation in the sphere of agro-industrial complex

The cooperation between Tatarstan and Australia must not be limited to agriculture. It is necessary to develop contacts in other fields too, for instance, in education, sports infrastructure development, adopting Australia’s experience in organization of large-scale sports competitions. President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov stated it at the meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Russia, Margaret Twomey, on Wednesday.

The foreign trade volume between Tatarstan and Australia in 2010 totaled US$935,3 thousand, which is 7.7 higher than the 2009 index (rise in exports – 5.2 times, in imports – 76.5 times as compared with the level of 2009). Contacts should be developed and the commodity turnover between the republic and Australia should be increased, Rustam Minnikhanov believes. There are all opportunities for that. “The Russian market is very promising and interesting,” the head of Tatarstan said. “I’m convinced that your visit will help to reveal new cooperation opportunities,” Rustam Minnikhanov addressed the ambassador.

President of Tatarstan mentioned a positive experience of developing relations in agriculture. In 2009 Tatarstan enterprise OOO Rakhimov Agricultural Enterprise signed a contract with Australian commercial company Expo-Trade-Elders to supply 1483 heads of breeding cattle from Australian farms. The cattle has adapted quite well and turned out to be very productive, Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized.

According to Rustam Minnikhanov’s words, Tatarstan and Australia can realize many joint projects. For example, President of Tatarstan showed interest in cooperation with Australia in sports infrastructure development and learning Australia’s experience in organizing large-scale international sports competitions. Australia’s experience in this field can be interesting, because Kazan is preparing for the Universiade-2013. Tatarstan capital will host events of the World Cup-2018 which is to take place in Russia.

In a response speech, Margaret Twomey thanked Rustam Minnikhanov for the warm welcome. Answering journalists’ questions, she pointed out the cooperation fields to be developed – agriculture, students exchange, contacts in education, etc.