Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov invites Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon in Kazan

On March 19, during his working visit to the Republic of Tajikistan, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon.

At the beginning of the meeting, Minnikhanov thanked Rahmon for warm welcome given to the Tatarstan delegation and expressed his hope that its visit will contribute to further development of cooperation between Tatarstan and Tajikistan, aimed at strengthening relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan.

He also briefed about the economic situation and industrial potential of Tatarstan. “In 2017, the trade turnover between Tatarstan and Tajikistan increased by more than 3 times if compared to the previous year and exceeded 30 million US dollars but it decreased to previous figures in 2018. I think that we do not fully open the window of opportunity. It is necessary to enhance interaction in the trade and economic sphere. We are interested in expanding the participation of the leading Tatarstan companies in Tajikistan market. Engineering, agriculture, health and biotechnology and information are among the priority areas for cooperation," Tatarstan President said.

Minnikhanov emphasized the important role of Somoniyon national-cultural autonomy of Tajik in Tatarstan in preserving inter-confessional and interethnic peace and harmony in the republic.

Tatarstan President also thanked Rahmon for supporting the Tatar community, namely about 17,000 people living in Tajikistan.

At the end of the meeting, Minnikhanov invited Rahmon to visit Tatarstan.

After the meeting, Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan and Tajikistan will establish an intergovernmental working group aimed at developing economic relations between the republics and increasing the trade turnover.