Rustam Minnikhanov: «Investors who come into new territory with their money, must be assured that the investment will be successful»

President of the Republic of Tatarstan in the first meeting of Tatarstan Investors’ Club noted that the government's attitude to the business should be improved.

«We first met in this form, - said the President, addressing the Tatarstan Investors' Club participants. - You have to understand what is government and its mechanisms. Russia - still young new country. No long ago we were in a completely different society, the interests were different. And the attitude to entrepreneurship property is still forming. Need purposeful work of authorities, municipal bodies. We must take into account the needs of investors, including those who represent the interests of other countries. The government's attitude to business should be perfected».

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan, being one of the leading regions of the Russian Federation, can become a pilot region for the adaptation of those innovations that can be implemented in the country.

«Investors who come into new territory with their money, must be assured that there will be the result, - told the head of the republic. - We learn, teach our people, change ourselves, and change our attitude to what is happening in the country and the world».

Over the past 10 years, according to Rustam Minnikhanov, the country, including Tatarstan, passed a long way. Economy changes and these changes must be quickly implemented.

«This form will be mutually beneficial, - said the head of the republic commenting on initiative of creating the Tatarstan Investors’ Club. - Must be a direct dialogue and a format of our work will be effective. I want to assure you that we are also responsible for those projects that you are implementing or planning to implement in the territory of our republic. We are not ashamed of the mistakes and try to correct them quickly».

Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Chief Executive said that a prerequisite to the creation of the Tatarstan Investors' Club became organized by Tatarstan Investment Development Agency on December 19, 2013 meeting with the foreign companies operating in the region.

«During the discussion, the top managers of foreign companies spoke about the challenges they face in Tatarstan, presented their recommendations to improve the investment climate in the region, - noted Linar Yakupov. - One of the main topics of the meeting was the need of investors in an open dialogue with the public authorities to discuss issues associated with doing business in the republic».

Following the discussions, underscored the Agency Chief Executive, was made a joint decision on the need of creation for the Foreign Investors Council under the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency «Tatarstan Investors’ Club», which meetings will be hold on a regular basis.

Tatarstan Investors' Club meeting was held in the "question and answer" format, where investors gave questions and Mr. Minnikhanov answered them.

The first problem was defined by Credit Europe Bank Vice President Mete Zhanbolat, noting growing interest of young professionals to work in call-centers.

«We need some motivation, impulse from your side, - he added. - The problem, for example, in collaboration with universities. I think we can attract foreign investment. Market volume - more than $ 375 billion, this is a very growing market. We must cooperate with universities».

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok Head of quality Alexey Lemeshko asked about personnel problems. Representative of the largest companies, noting that in the area of Naberezhnye Chelny (industrial areas are located in the «KIP" Master»), works a number of companies with foreign participation, complained on the shortage of managers, professionals transition from company to company and extra expense for additional training.

Rustam Minnikhanov in response told about the initiative to establish resource centers in the country, which will be aimed at solving personnel problems of companies. The President also drew attention to the need of opening international schools in the region, underscoring that this question is very important while deciding entering to the republic.

Creative Project CEO Serkan Gezer shared with the head of the republic about the deficit of designers and experts in the field of urban planning and architecture. Kiekert RUS CEO Alexander Conson told the President about the lack of human resources and complained about their involvement to the collaboration with the Migration Service problem.

«We are faced with the Internal Revenue Service, with the Registration Chamber of Naberezhnye Chelny, - noted Alexander Conson. - Their work is much better than in other regions. And in cooperation with the migration service, there was a feeling that they are in the Stone Age. And this is a problem of many foreign investors».

Mr. Minnikhanov in response said that the issue of the migration will be taken into operation.

LLC «Covidien Eurasia» Project Manager Andrey Korneev said the President that the company is very impressed with the projects to be implemented in Kazan Smart City.

«We are waiting for the SEZ «Innopolis» working and we will be able to participate in the project, - said Mr. Korneev. - And now I would like to know how long the infrastructure of the territory is going to be implemented».

Rustam Minnikhanov recommended to «Covidien Eurasia» send an appliance and to obtain resident status of special zone, stating that «without a resident the specific area will not work».

«For us this is also a push factor, - the President added. - Government needs a specific business plan. Then we will build the infrastructure».

Praise to the Tatarstan as a region with favorable investment climate in an appeal to President Rustam Minnikhanov voiced by Schneider Electric for Russia and the CIS countries President Jean-Louis Stasi.

«Mr. President, thank you that you have brought us here, for inviting to «Tatarstan Davos», - noted Jean-Louis Stasi. - Using «smart» technologies, we feel here like at home. Business conditions in the region are favorable».

During the conversation with the head of the republic investors asked about the implementing projects in the field of international education. Founder of Premium English language center Steven Mott, in particular, asked whether there exist any interest of the republic Ministry of Education in cooperation with international companies to discuss international standards that would be acceptable to Russian universities.

«We will be able to work quickly and open schools with adequate assistance, - said Mr. Mott. The President promised to get these questions into account. At the end of the meeting Rustam Minnikhanov again drew attention to the importance and necessity of such meetings, commenting that «must be confidence in the future and that business can’t exist if there is no normal government».

Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Press Service