Linar Yakupov: "Holding the Universiade in Kazan - a huge potential for the development of the whole region"

Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Chief Executive Linar Yakupov in an interview with Thomson Reuters Trading Russia Internet portal at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2013) described the impact of the Summer Student Games on the investment climate of the republic.

Here are some excerpts of the interview.

Thomson Reuters Trading Russia: Linar Gabdelnurovich, Russia has a lot of activities such as the Universiade in 2013, Sochi 2014, FIFA World Cup in 2018. Is there any demand for the Universiade?

Linar Yakupov: "The Summer Universiade hasn’t been in Russia for 40 years. Holding XXVII World Summer Universiade 2013 here in Russia, in Kazan - is an important step for the development of university sports and a solid base for the Olympic movement..."

Thomson Reuters Trading Russia: What will happen with sports facilities after the Universiade?

Linar Yakupov: "Sports facilities properly distributed in the territory of Kazan and we have an understanding of how each of them will be used after the Universiade 2013. The diversity of objects provides their content in the future. Universiade not only seriously raised the interest of young people, city residents to the sport, but also increased a demand for such direction like sports tourism. Having in Kazan interesting and significant events for Russia, improvement of an infrastructure, changes in the appearance of the city make the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan more attractive to investors".

Thomson Reuters Trading Russia: - Is there any forecasts on the return of investment, what kind of business is in the most demand in Kazan?

Linar Yakupov: "Holding of the Universiade from the economic point of view should not be a payback; here is the principle of long-term return of investment. From a business perspective the most interesting are service industry and tourism... In preparation for the Universiade Kazan became the fourth city in Russia, where it was launched intermodal transportation, allowing in 20 minutes overcoming the way from the international airport "Kazan" to the city center. Between Kazan and the airport will be build a new city - "Smart City Kazan”, which will be the visiting card of the Tatarstan Republic. Universiade gives a great potential for the development of the whole region for years to come...” Full interview of Linar Yakupov to the Thomson Reuters Trading Russia Internet portal may be found here.

Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Press Service