Rustam Minnikhanov holds talks with leaders of Saudi Agricultural and Investment Company (SALIC)

On February 7, during a working visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tatarstan delegation led by President of the republic Rustam Minnikhanov discussed the possibilities of mutual cooperation with CEO of Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) Abdullah Al-Dubaikhi.

SALIC (Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company) was founded in 2009 and focuses on supporting the entire process of production and distribution of agricultural products in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. The company has subsidiaries in Canada, Ukraine, Poland, Sudan and other countries.

During the meeting, Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan is the leader among Russian regions in terms of the production of agricultural products. Today, the republic is leading in milk production (1.7 million tonnes per year.), is ranked fourth in the country in the production of meat and poultry (about 500 thousand tonnes per year..) and eighth for grain harvest (4.4 mln. tonnes). Occupying about 2 per cent of the country's farmland, Tatarstan produces more than 4 per cent of the gross agricultural output.

Abdullah Al-Dubaikhi expressed interest in open-range beef farming. Also, the company's representatives are interested in the cultivation and conservation of forage crops. Abdullah Al-Dubaikhi suggested creating a joint working group to look into these issues.

Tatarstan President supported the idea and said that the republic is open for cooperation with the SALIC in the field of agriculture and livestock production.

Summing up, Minnikhanov invited representatives of the SALIC to visit Tatarstan in the near future.