Rustam Minnikhanov: We need to give dynamics to the expansion of trade and economic cooperation between Tatarstan and Belarus

On May 25, in the Government House of the republic, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met with Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov, who arrived in Kazan to take part in meetings of the CIS Council of Heads of Government and Eurasian Intergovernmental Council.

Welcoming the guests, Minnikhanov noted that the visit of the Belarusian delegation is a good opportunity to discuss the state and prospects for the development of Tatarstan-Belarus cooperation aimed at strengthening friendly relations between Russia and Belarus. "We hope that your current visit to Tatarstan will give a new impetus to the expansion of mutually beneficial relations," Tatarstan President emphasized.

Minnikhanov said that in 2016 the total volume of trade turnover between Tatarstan and Belarus amounted to almost 700 million US dollars. However, we are not using the potential to its full extent. We need to give dynamics to our efforts to expand trade, economic and investment cooperation, he said.

"It is important to deepen the cooperation of our producers, especially in the field of engineering and high technology," Minnikhanov said.

According to Tatarstan President, the republic has all the necessary infrastructures for this purpose, including special economic zones, industrial parks and technoparks, engineering centres, etc.

"Tatarstan is also working on the development of nano- and biotechnology, the production of composite materials, robotics and IT technologies. We invite Belarusian companies to work at our investment sites. We have a good example of cooperation in the petrochemical and medical technology fields,” Minnikhanov continued.

According to Minnikhanov, the expansion of ties in the humanitarian fields of culture, science, education is equally important. Also, there are good opportunities for the development of contacts in the field of sport and tourism, he said.

In his turn Kobyakov thanked the leadership of the republic for the informative reception of the delegation from Belarus. "Thank you for finding time to meet in your busy schedule in connection with holding a major international event in Kazan," he said to Minnikhanov.

According to Kobyakov, Tatarstan is one of the largest trade partners of Belarus among Russian regions.