Rustam Minnikhanov invites Vladimir Putin to attend the opening ceremony of the WorldSkills-2019 in Kazan

On February 12, during his working visit to Tatarstan, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, who reported the Russian leader on the socio-economic development of the republic.

Minnikhanov said that in 2018, the volume of industrial products shipped amounted to more than 2.8 trillion roubles. The gross regional product (GRP) totaled to 2.44 trillion roubles, and investments in fixed assets exceeded 660 billion roubles. Foreign trade turnover increased to make 19 billion US dollars. Average wages totaled more than 35,000 roubles. Unemployment rates decreased to 0.5 percent.

The President of Russia noted a significant increase in the share of non-commodity exports. Minnikhanov noted that the oil refining sector has grown significantly in the republic - up to 17 million tonnes of raw materials per year. It is planned to increase this figure to 23 million tonnes in future. Also, according to Tatarstan President, the KAMAZ truck plant and the aviation industry are actively developing.

Minnikhanov said that 40 regional programmes will be implemented in Tatarstan this year. A new three-year-long programme to repair children's summer camps will be launched as well.

Tatarstan President also added that Kazan will host the WorldSkills competition in August this year. The event will bring together 1,500 young professionals from 67 countries competing in 56 skills. The new Kazan Expo Exhibition Centre will be the main venue of the competition.

Minnikhanov invited Putin to attend the opening ceremony of the WorldSkills competition. Also, Tatarstan President asked the Russian leader to assist in the adoption of a declaration on working skills to increase the prestige of these professions.

Putin supported this initiative. “I am sure that Kazan will host events of the WorldSkills Competition in the best manner possible,” he said.