Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in the opening of the Astana Islamic Economy Forum

On July 4, during his visit to Kazakhstan, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the Astana Islamic Economy Forum.

Opening the plenary session, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev and Governor of the Astana International Financial Center Kairat Kelimbetov welcomed participants of the forum. Minnikhanov, who was one of the leading speakers at the session, congratulated all residents of Kazakhstan on the 20th anniversary of the capital of Astana.

In his speech, Minnikhanov assured that Tatarstan is ready to take an active part in the development of the Astana International Financial Centre as the largest regional financial hub. "Your international financial centre is a great find for us. The geographic proximity of Tatarstan and Kazakhstan will allow us to intensify our mutually beneficial cooperation. It takes two hours to get from Kazan to Astana by plane and direct flights are already available. Modern Kazakhstan is a leader in many areas, there are things we can learn from you and adopt your experience.”

At the opening ceremony, the winners of the science, technology and innovation competition of the Islamic Development Bank "Transformers Roadshow" were awarded.

Honorable awards were given to Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre Kairat Kelimbetov, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and President of the Islamic Development Bank Bandar Hajjar.

"Kazakhstan is one of the leaders in the post-Soviet area to introduce the tools of the Islamic economy. Today we are summarizing the results of the contest "Transformers Roadshow" - a competition dedicated to science, technology and innovation. It is organized by the Islamic Development Bank and the Astana International Financial Centre. This competition is a good opportunity for young people to generate new ideas and one of the forms of motivation for young innovators to develop high-tech projects and innovative products,” Minnikhanov said during the ceremony.