Rustam Minnikhanov at the Russian-Czech Business Forum: We are interested in attracting Czech business and capital in Tatarstan

On March 6, in Prague, speaking at the Russian-Czech business forum, held under the Russian-Czech Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Industrial and Scientific and Technical Cooperation and dedicated to trade and economic relations of the two countries, its current state and prospects, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov invited the participants of the Forum to cooperation with Tatarstan.

Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic Marta Nováková and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov spoke at the Forum, moderated by Director of the Department of Foreign Economic Policy of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic Martin Pospíšil.

Manturov said, in particular, that Russia heads for the development of mutually beneficial dialogue, which opens up prospects for cooperation. The business of our countries has established long-standing relations. I am sure that this will continue. The increase of trade turnover by 17 per cent is the confirmation of this, he said.

Speaking about the implementation of the Digital Economy national project, Manturov emphasized that about 20 billion US dollars will be allocated for the introduction of digital solutions to all sectors of the economy of the country until 2024. He invited Czech colleagues to take part in the Innoprom Forum to be held together with UNIDO International Business and Investment Forum in Yekaterinburg in July of the current year.

Speaking at the forum, Minnikhanov, in his turn, expressed appreciation to the leadership of Russia and the Czech Republic for the support of joint projects and initiatives.

“We are interested in attracting Czech business and capital in Tatarstan and will be happy to expand mutually beneficial ties. The Czech Republic is one of the leading foreign partners of Tatarstan. The mutual trade turnover increased by 41 per cent and amounted to 632 million US dollars last year,” Tatarstan President said.

Official contacts and business visits give a good impetus to develop cooperation, he also considers.

Speaking at the Forum, Minnikhanov briefed about the economy of Tatarstan, which is one of the leading and industrially developed Russian regions. The economy of the region is based on oil, oil refining and petrochemistry. The republic also produces cars, airplanes and helicopters, ships, gas pumping and compressor stations, rubbers, polyethylene, polymers, e-equipment, optics, medical instruments, agricultural products, etc.

We are interested in Czech companies choosing Tatarstan as a launching pad for work in Russia, Tatarstan President said.