In the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan holds a briefing on the working visits of Rustam Minnikhanov in Japan and Korea

Tatarstan delegation headed by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan visited Japan and Korea during the period from 18 to 22 March 2014.

At the briefing presented Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Chief Executive Linar Yakupov, First Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan Saria Salihova, First Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan Ruslan Kabirov, head of the local office of the project realization «Regional context of socio-economic development «Tugan Il» Vladimir Gritskikh, as well as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Tatarstan Shamil Ageev and Vice-Rector of Kazan Federal University (KFU) Marat Safiullin.

Linar Yakupov, sharing information with reporters about the visit to Japan, said that the trip consisted of two directions: participation in the VI Russian-Japanese Investment Forum and working on the issues within the «Strategy for Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Tatarstan till 2030» project (Strategy 2030).

VI Russian-Japanese Investment Forum, where this year discussed the opening of new areas of investment cooperation between Russia and Japan, opened on March 19 in Tokyo. In terms of the forum were held «roundtables» on topical issues of Russian-Japanese economic relations: a lot of attention was paid to bilateral cooperation in the field of energy conservation, the automotive industry and innovation. Discussions also were about the development of relations between the two countries in the medicine, transportation and infrastructure. In addition, was held an exhibition of investment agricultural projects of the Russian Federation.

Panel discussion forum «Improving the investment climate in Russia and the new areas of investment cooperation between Russia and Japan» brought together representatives of public authorities, regions and prefectures of Russia and Japan, leaders of major national corporations, financial institutions, scientific and public organizations of two countries. In particular, from Russia participated «Rosneft» President Igor Sechin, representatives of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

As Linar Yakupov noted, despite the fact that the situation in Ukraine has made some adjustments, Japanese business is interested in cooperation with Russia and its regions, ready to invest and develop joint projects. Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan differs from other regions of the Russian Federation. Tatarstan President told about the existing industrial sites in the republic, SEZ «Alabuga», where exist easier ways to enter into these areas.

Interesting discussion, underscored Linar Yakupov, was held during roundtable on agriculture, where also presented Rustam Minnikhanov, the automotive industry and the development of supporting industries, urban development and infrastructure. The discussion on the auto industry was attended by a representative of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, about Kazan Smart City told representative of Tatarstan Development Corporation. Noted that Tatarstan with such projects as Innopolis and Kazan Smart City is today one of the discussed regions of Russia.

Separately, Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Chief Executive told about the working meetings of Rustam Minnikhanov during his visit to Japan. Rustam Minnikhanov with the Executive Director, Deputy Director of Global Marketing «Sanoh Industrial» Mr. Hiroshi Adashi discussed the cooperation of «Sanoh Industrial» with Tatarstan in auto component production. Linar Yakupov noted that the company is interested in cooperation with the region and looks for possible interaction options.

With the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of «Yokogawa Electric Corporation» Mr. Shuzo Kaihori, as well as President and chief operating officer of the company Mr. Takashi Nishijima head of the region discussed the projects implemented jointly with Tatarstan enterprises, such as «TANECO», «Kazanorgsintez», «Taif-NK», «Ammonium», «Nizhnekamsknefetehim».

Construction of the «Ammonium» plant has also become the subject of discussion at a meeting of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan and leadership of «Mitsubishi Heavy Industries» and «Sojitz». These companies, according to the signed contract in 2010, take part in the project realization.

At the meeting of President of the Republic of Tatarstan and the «Marubeni Corporation» Global strategy advisor, Senior operating officer Mr. Wataru Yoshida discussed cooperation in the implementation of joint projects in the Republic of Tatarstan. Issues of cooperation in the implementation of joint projects, including the creation in the republic Russia's first «Training and Education Center for the Prevention of emergencies» and autonomous wastewater treatment systems in Tatarstan, were announced at a meeting of Rustam Minnikhanov and Mr. Hideaki Sakai - Shinyei Kaisha Executive Director. The last project in the region plans to be tested at new republic’s sites – Innopolis, Kazan Smart City, as well as the Admiralty Quarter.

Other participants of the briefing told about the visit to the «Panasonic» exhibition center, «Nomura» Research Institute and sub-centers of Tokyo.

At the end of his working visit to Japan Mr. Minnikhanov met with the Tatars living in Japan. The meeting was held in Tokyo mosque, founded by the Tatars in 1938. The Tatars in Japan represent a small ethnic group of 90 people who live in Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Kawasaki. But despite the dispersed accommodation, the Tatars communicate with each other, attend the mosque, interest in the events in their historical homeland, and correspond with relatives living in Tatarstan.

In a discussion with journalists speakers shared information on the development of agriculture and the transport system of Japan, underscoring that the experience of the Japan is very interesting, including a project to build high-speed line «Moscow-Kazan».

Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Press Service