Trade and economic cooperation with compatriots in 2024

Today, a meeting of the Coordinating Council for Compatriots Affairs under the Raisa of the Republic of Tatarstan was held. It was chaired by the Chairman of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Coordinating Council for Compatriots Affairs under the Raisa of the Republic of Tatarstan Farid Mukhametshin.

In total, more than 400 activists of public associations of compatriots, representatives of the Russian diaspora from more than 100 countries of the world, senators of Russia and deputies of the State Duma, representatives of relevant ministries and departments, clergy, and leaders of public organizations took part in this forum.

Farid Mukhametshin acquainted those present with the opinions and assessments voiced during the congress by federal leaders.

In his greeting, the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin emphasized that "Russia is consistently increasing its efforts aimed at providing assistance to foreign compatriots."

Chairman of the Federation Council V.I. Matviyenko noted that "thanks to the constant efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Rossotrudnichestvo, foreign communities, regional authorities, non-profit and educational organizations, a unique system of dialogue with compatriots from all over the world has been built in Russia."

Continuing his speech, Farid Mukhametshin recalled the key events held in the Republic of Tatarstan in 2024: the First International Multisport Tournament in the Phygital Sports Concept "Games of the Future" (February), the V BRICS Sports Games (June), the XVI BRICS Summit (October). He noted that for the first time, the republic hosted the leaders of 24 states and 6 key international organizations - a total of more than 5 thousand members of official delegations from 36 countries. Words of gratitude for the great trust shown in holding such large-scale events in the Republic of Tatarstan were conveyed on behalf of compatriots to the leadership of the Russian Federation and S.V. Lavrov personally during the speech of Farid Mukhametshin at the Plenary Session of the VIII Congress of Compatriots.

The events held in the Republic of Tatarstan contributed to strengthening the image of Tatarstan and increased the level of trust in the republic. This is also evidenced by the positive feedback from representatives of various delegations following the summit. The republic is proud of the Tatarstan team headed by Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan R.N. Minnikhanov, who, in close cooperation with federal colleagues, is able to solve the most complex problems.

The chairman also emphasized the significant work of Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, who, during working trips to the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and abroad, always finds time to communicate with the active members of Tatar communities in a warm informal setting. This work bears fruit. With his support, the National Council of the World Congress of Tatars holds events with the participation of representatives of the diasporas and Tatar entrepreneurs. The task is to attract investment in the economy of the republic from compatriots who have achieved success in business in Russia and abroad. The All-Russian Meeting of Tatar Entrepreneurs (March 2024), the Forum "Business Partners of Tatarstan" (November 2024) and other events make a great contribution to this work.

Mukhametshin paid attention to the development of multilateral relations with countries that are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. He noted that interaction with the Islamic world is built both on a bilateral basis and through multilateral economic and political platforms, including in the format of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia - Islamic World", chaired by the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin.

The economic dimension of the Group's work is the traditional International Economic Forum of Russia and the States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation "Kazan Forum", which received federal status in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin dated January 17, 2023 No. 17.

From May 14 to 19, 2024, as part of the anniversary XV Forum, large-scale events were organized, including the annual meeting of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia - Islamic World", the All-Russian Forum of Tatar Religious Figures, the International Exhibition of Halal Industry and Izge Bolgar Җыены.

The Chairman noted that, in general, the Coordination Council sets the task of interacting not only with compatriots living abroad, but also with representatives of Tatar communities, national and cultural autonomies and businesses in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. He appealed to those present to reflect in their speeches during the meeting of the Coordination Council the most important areas of work with Tatars living outside the republic.

Mukhametshin recalled that following the results of the 15th meeting of the Coordination Council, comprehensive tasks for 2024 were approved and targets for constructive interdepartmental cooperation were set, which were generally successfully implemented. He drew the attention of those present to the need to not slow down the pace of work in the future year of 2025, including within the framework of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, in the format of the Year of the 80th Anniversary of Victory and the Year of Peace declared in the CIS. And also to take the most active part in the events of the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in 2025, declared in the Address of the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan to the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The meeting also paid attention to the following issues:

On the results of work with compatriots in 2024 and plans for 2025.
On the implementation of the State Program of the Republic of Tatarstan "Providing assistance to the voluntary resettlement to the Russian Federation of compatriots living abroad for 2019-2025.
On the results of the activities of the working group on the development of trade and economic cooperation with compatriots in 2024.
On the interaction of the representative offices of the Republic of Tatarstan with compatriots abroad and Tatar public organizations in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

In 2024, the activities of the working group on the development of trade and economic cooperation with compatriots continued under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan - Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan, which includes 36 people - representatives of executive authorities, the Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars, representative offices of the republic in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and abroad.

The system of representative offices, noted by all partners as the most developed and effective, is the main mechanism for interaction with compatriots in the territories of residence. The Tatar diaspora receives regular support. National holidays are held in order to preserve Tatar culture in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and foreign countries. The work of the representative offices of the Republic of Tatarstan in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and individual constituent entities of the Federation is highlighted in this area.

The meetings of the working group in 2024 were held within the framework of weekly videoconferences with representatives in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and abroad (in accordance with the schedule approved quarterly by the Head of the Administration of the Raisa of the Republic of Tatarstan A.A. Safarov). Over the 11 months of 2024, 44 meetings were held, including 3 meetings of the working group, at which issues of promoting the products of the republic's enterprises beyond its borders, implementing investment projects, as well as promoting compatriots' projects through the Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars were discussed.

The representative offices are continuously working to implement the proposals of the organizations that spoke at the meetings of the working group, providing assistance in finding partners, conducting negotiations and signing agreements.

In order to expand the contractual framework for cooperation in 2024, 17 agreements and action plans for their implementation were concluded with partners from abroad and constituent entities of the Russian Federation (10 with constituent entities of the Russian Federation and 7 with foreign countries).

Projects implemented by the representative office in the Republic of Turkey are given as examples of cooperation with compatriots. In Tatarstan, projects are being implemented to build a woodworking plant in the Alabuga SEZ (EKS Plywood), the third stage of the Kazan Palace by Tasigo hotel complex in Kazan, etc. With the assistance of the Plenipotentiary Representative Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the opening of the KamaTyres.KZ tire plant took place in the Republic of Kazakhstan (Saran, Karaganda region).

A large amount of work has been carried out in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Since 2023, an industrial park has been operating on the territory of the Jizzakh SEZ, and since 2022, the Chirchik technology park. The projects on the creation of a logistics and distribution center of Uzbekistan in Tatarstan (jointly with the Tashkent region khokimiyat) and the construction of the Kukmarafactory production facility in the Tashkent region (Angren) are at the development stage. Meetings of working groups on cooperation were held during the year.

A meeting of the working group was held with the participation of the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan R.N. Minnikhanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus V.M. Karankevich and General Director of PJSC Tatneft N.U. Maganov on the Mogilevkhimvolokno project (August).

With the assistance of the Representative Office in the Czech Republic, permanent working contacts were established between the Hungarian company Hunland Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan.

During 2024, the Republic of Tatarstan organized more than 20 foreign business missions. With the assistance of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, representatives of the diplomatic corps and other high-ranking delegations were invited to participate in the International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: Kazan Forum" and the BRICS Summit.

On June 3, 2024, the first stage of the Data Processing Center in Innopolis for 1 thousand jobs was opened.

Also, 8 video conferences were held by the Executive Committee of the World Congress of Tatars and business representatives, during which issues of developing cooperation in the field of mechanical engineering, promoting halal products, developing social tourism, the presence of Tatar cuisine outside the Republic of Tatarstan and organizing the activities of trading houses were discussed.

Large exhibition events and forums, to which compatriots are invited, contribute to the development of cooperation with compatriots. The forum "Russia - Islamic World: "Kazan Forum", which is the main platform for economic cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world, which received federal status, was especially noted. As well as the II International Forum "ROSTKI: Russia and China - Mutually Beneficial Cooperation", which was held in November 2024 in Kazan.

An increase in trade turnover with foreign countries was noted based on the results of work for 9 months of 2024 by 12%, as well as an increase in the export indicator by 20%.

Taking into account the instructions given during the 15th meeting of the Coordination Council, taking into account the need for further development of interregional and international relations of the Republic of Tatarstan, it was proposed to continue the activities of the working group on the development of trade and economic cooperation with compatriots in 2025.