Tatarstan–Uzbekistan Business Forum in Kazan: a bet on industrial cooperation, logistics and digital platforms
On August 3, 2026, the Millennium Panorama Hotel hosted a large-scale Tatarstan–Uzbekistan business forum, which brought together about 300 entrepreneurs from the two republics. The delegation from Uzbekistan includes representatives of more than 70 companies interested in expanding supplies, localizing production and joint investment projects. The event was held in the format of a plenary session and bilateral B2B negotiations, where participants were able not only to discuss systemic issues, but also to conclude preliminary agreements on cooperation.
Tatarstan is the leader of the investment climate: Taliya Minullina's presentation
The key event of the business program was a speech by Taliya Minullina, Head of the Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan, who presented a detailed overview of the region's investment potential, existing business support mechanisms and prospects for developing cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Taliya Minullina opened the presentation with impressive macroeconomic indicators: the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia in 2025 amounted to $ 12,985.7 million, while Tatarstan's share amounted to $ 427 million, which is 13.5% more than in 2024. She stressed that such growth was made possible thanks to systematic work to remove barriers and create comfortable conditions for foreign investors.
Special attention was paid to the republic's positions in the ratings:
1st place in the National Rating of the investment climate for 2025;
The only region of Russia where 8 federal preferential zones operate simultaneously is 3 special economic zones (SEZs) and 5 territories of advanced development (TOP).
The head of the Agency recalled that the agency operates on the principle of "one window", accompanying the investor from the idea to the launch of production. A staff of 50 specialists ensures rapid interaction with all government agencies and resource supply organizations.
Special economic zones: figures, benefits, requirements
The presentation discussed in detail the working conditions at each of the three SEZs of Tatarstan: SEZ Alabuga (industrial and production type), SEZ Innopolis (technical and implementation type), SEZ Zelenaya Dolina (industrial and production type, created in June 2025 on the initiative of PJSC Tatneft).
Priority development territories (in Naberezhnye Chelny, Nizhnekamsk, Chistopol, Zelenodolsk, Mendeleevsk):
Taliya Minullina separately focused on the Logistics Complex named after. Deng Xiaoping, launched in October 2024 as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.
The head of the Agency also stressed that Tatarstan is the only region of Russia with more than 110 ready—made industrial sites, and all relevant support measures are accumulated on the investment portal. invest.tatarstan.ru . She recalled regular international forums — with the countries of the Islamic world (KazanForum), with China (ROSTKI), with India (TIME), where dozens of delegates from Uzbekistan participate annually, including high-ranking officials and heads of major companies.
Industrial potential and new digital solutions
Shamil Ageev, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tatarstan, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech, noting the long-term friendship and mutual interest of the businesses of the two republics.
Oleg Korobchenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, Minister of Industry and Trade, presented a presentation on Tatarstan's industrial potential.
Odilkhon Rustamov, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, in his greeting and demonstration of a video about the investment climate of Uzbekistan, stated:
"Uzbekistan and Russia are consistently developing mutually beneficial trade, economic and investment cooperation. The textile, leather, food and chemical industries, mechanical engineering, construction, agriculture, information technology and trade remain promising areas. The textile and leather industries, food and chemical production, furniture and construction industries, as well as the agro-industrial sector should be highlighted among the most promising areas that can be further developed within the framework of today's business forum.
Cooperation with Tatarstan is of particular importance. Twinning relations between Tatarstan and the Tashkent region create a solid foundation for expanding cooperation. The republic's high industrial and innovative potential opens up opportunities in the automotive industry, petrochemicals, energy, agriculture, and digital technologies.
I would like to highlight Tatarstan's achievements in the field of information technology. We see a wide field for cooperation here.
I am convinced that measures to diversify logistics routes, develop multimodal transport corridors and implement new joint infrastructure projects will become the basis for increasing the sustainability of mutual trade and uninterrupted supply.
The partnership between Uzbekistan and Russia is not only about economics, but also about mutual trust, friendship and strong, time—tested ties.
I am convinced that the joint efforts, open dialogue and agreements reached within the framework of today's forum will make a significant contribution to further strengthening friendly and mutually beneficial relations between our countries, as well as increasing Uzbek exports by expanding supplies of textiles, foodstuffs, pharmaceutical and electrical products.
Further joint work should focus on the development of production cooperation, localization, expansion of the export range and improvement of logistics."
Consul General of Uzbekistan in Kazan Nodirjon Kasimov stressed:
"I would like to emphasize the extreme interest of the Uzbek business community in expanding the range of activities and product range and Tatarstan colleagues in further deepening cooperation and exchange of experience, this includes the practical implementation of joint projects, the production of competitive export-oriented products, the development of industrial parks with the participation of Tatarstan and, of course, the scientific and humanitarian component, which forms new competencies. and that, in turn, has a positive effect on the positive and stable dynamics of trade turnover and interaction in general.
Undoubtedly, the visit of the delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives of the business community of Uzbekistan will create a new platform for strengthening partnership, industrial cooperation and further cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tatarstan."
Natalia Boer, Head of OZON in the CIS countries, noted the high dynamics of Tatarstan entrepreneurs on the marketplace: they are growing faster than businesses from other regions of Russia, and even outstrip the growth rate of the platform itself.
Anton Baklashov, chairman of the regional branch of OPORA RUSSIA, announced the launch of the Russia–Uzbekistan business contact exchange, a messenger chat for finding partners, synchronizing requests and offers, which is especially important for small and medium—sized businesses.
Results and prospects
Following the results of the B2B negotiations, the participants outlined concrete steps towards the development of cooperation.
The forum ended with an informal conversation, where entrepreneurs exchanged contacts and agreed on visits to individual production sites in Tatarstan.