Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov meets Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates

On April 2, during the 7th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2017, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates Sultan ben Saeed Al Mansoori and senior managers of the Dubai Centre for Islamic Banking and Finance. 

Sultan ben Saeed Al Mansoori and Minnikhanov warmly greeted each other as long-time friends. It was noted that the UAE Minister of Economy visited Tatarstan to participate in Kazansummit-2014 and knows Minnikhanov personally.

During the meeting, Minnikhanov asked Sultan ben Saeed Al Mansoori to express his gratitude to Emir of Dubai, Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the honor of participating in the AIM and for hospitality.

"Every year we participate in the Dubai Investment Forum, which is one of the largest and most authoritative meeting of investors in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region. Thank you for your kind invitation. Once again the republic has its exhibition stand here, which we try to make more and more interesting for exhibitors and visitors from year to year. The governments and business circles of our countries are making every effort to expand cooperation in various fields. For us, the UAE is one of the most attractive partners for the development of bilateral economic contacts. Unfortunately, so far they are not as extensive as we would like them to be. I think we have something to work on together," Tatarstan President said.

Then, they discussed promising areas of cooperation. Minnikhanov said that some Tatarstan companies are establishing relations with the UAE. For example, there is a regional representative office of KAMAZ Automaker there. Kazan Helicopter Plant is planning to open its representative office in the region, which is also interesting to Zelenodolsk shipyard.

Moreover, the UAE has traditionally been a favorite holiday destination for Tatarstan tourists. A regular flight between Kazan and Dubai is carried out by the Fly Dubai airline. "Tourists from Russia like to visit the UAE. We need to work together to make Russia and, of course, Tatarstan, attractive for tourists from the UAE," Minnikhanov said.

The introduction and development of financial instruments of partnership (Islamic) banking in Russia were discussed with representatives of the Dubai Center for Islamic Banking and Finance, who also took part in the meeting. Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan is a pilot region for the introduction of the principles of Islamic banking and financing in Russia. Therefore, Tatarstan is open for all-round cooperation in this area with the Dubai Center for Islamic Banking and Finance, he said.