Rustam Minnikhanov: «For us it is important to know the opinion of our foreign colleagues about the Russian economy»

Business Breakfast «Portrait of Russian regions. Integration of the Russian regions’ economies into the global system» with the participation of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan opened in June 5 the VI International Economic Summit of Russia and OIC countries (KazanSummit2014).

Welcoming the participants, Mr. Minnikhanov emphasized that the value of the summit is increasing every year: the event, which began as a platform for discussing issues of Islamic banking, today turned into a broader format – KazanSummit in 2014 was attended by over 500 participants from 26 countries, as well as about 20 regions of the Russian Federation.

«Today it is important for us to establish a direct constructive dialogue, to hear from foreign representatives of foreign business opinion about the real situation in the economy», - said the head of the republic.

The President told the guests about the economy and investment potential of the region, presented the SEZ «Alabuga», a new business areas of the region – Kazan Smart City and Innopolis project.

Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Ilyas Umahanov focused on the issues, discussed in the summit: food security, global politics, the investment climate and legislative initiatives.

«KazanSummit – one of the key events with the participation of the Federation Council, - he underscored. - Tatarstan's experience, I'm sure, is not only an attractive model for the regions of the Russian Federation, but also for the world. Region demonstrates the dynamic and technological, economic, social and cultural development».

Department of Economic Affairs of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Director Ahmed Al Haddad said that he with a great sense of satisfaction and pride is involved in KazanSummit 2014. He said that he was proud of those relationships that develop with Russia and, in particular, with Tatarstan.

«I am confident that they will develop, - commented Ahmed Al Haddad. - Tatarstan people can be proud that their president pays attention to economic development and investment in the region. This is an active interaction that leads to the development of cooperation and demonstrate the investment potential of the Republic of Tatarstan».

Tatarstan as one of the leading members of the Russian Federation on attracting investments named head of the Russian Investment Agency «Invest in Russia» Yuriy Wojciechowski. The Speaker called the Russian regions key sources of the country’s growth and said that the main objectives of «Invest in Russia» are forming the future development institutions and promotion issues.

«Today in Russia there are 70 investment agencies and we intend to increase their number to 100, - shared Mr. Wojciechowski. - At the federal level created the Association of Regional Agencies. As its president, considering the merits, experience and considerable practice in the work to attract investment elected Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Chief Executive Linar Yakupov».

Yuri Wojciechowski commented on frequently asked questions about the competition between the Russian regions, which he explained that they often arises in the debates in «Invest in Russia» and the Association of Regional Agencies.

«Competition exists, - he said. - But it's a healthy competition and in my opinion is much more important cooperation between regions, because the success of one of the regions of the Russian Federation - is the success of the whole country».

Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Press Service