Rustam Minnikhanov: Business circles of Tatarstan and Portugal should cooperate more actively

On May 30, at his meeting with Tatarstan President Rustam Minikhanov, Minister of Economy of Portugal, co-chair of the Russian-Portuguese intergovernmental Commission Manuel Caldeira Cabral said that the visit of the delegation of Tatarstan to Portugal will foster the development of cooperation between Tatarstan and Portugal.

The meeting took place in the Ministry of Economy of Portugal during the working visit of Minnikhanov to Lisbon.

Welcoming members of Tatarstan delegation of Tatarstan, Mister Manuel Cabral expressed his confidence that the current visit will contribute to developing bilateral relations and promoting cooperation.

We are proud of the openness of our country, the openness to trade, investment relations, to entrepreneurs who want to develop business in Portugal, the Minister of Economy of Portugal said.

Manuel Cabral also noted that Tatarstan is one of the most economically developed regions of Russia, and this allows developing successful cooperation.

In his turn Minnikhanov thanked senior officials of the Ministry of Economy of Portugal, as well as the Russian Embassy in Portugal, for good organization of the visit and the eventful business programme.

He said that in the morning the Tatasrtan delegation visited Tagushpark, where a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Informatization and Communication of Tatarstan was signed, then the Portugal - Tatarstan business forum was held, at which agreements on cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan and a number of Portuguese companies were signed.

Moreover, today, an agreement on cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tatarstan and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Portugal was signed. Minnikhanov also expressed his confidence that business circles of Tatarstan and Portugal should cooperate more actively.

We want to contribute to strengthening Russia-Portugal cooperation at the regional level, Minnikhanov said and offered Manuel Caldeira Cabral as co-chair of the Russian-Portuguese intergovernmental commission to consider the possibility of holding a regular meeting of the commission in Kazan in September this year.

Minister of Economy of Portugal said that he accepts the proposal to hold a meeting of the intergovernmental commission in Kazan. "I am pleased to accept your proposal," he said.

Then they discussed the possibilities of cooperation not only in the sphere of economy and trade and economic relations, but also in such areas as culture, science, education, tourism and sport.

Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan has great results in such sectors as petrochemistry, engineering, agro-industrial complex, and is ready to share its experience. He also said that the region is one of the most advanced in the development of e-government, the provision of e-services and in the IT sector t in general. We can be useful in this area, he said.

The Minister of Economy of Portugal said that he also sees serious prospects and potential for cooperation both in the economy, and in the fields of science and education and other areas.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Kazan, Minnikhanov told Manuel Caldeira Cabral summing up the meeting.