Rustam Minnikhanov: Tatarstan and Slovakia have significant potential for the development of mutual trade

On July 3, speaking at a meeting with Chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Andrei Danko in the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that the development of contacts between the business circles of Tatarstan and Slovakia will contribute to strengthening of Russian-Slovak relations.

The Slovak delegation arrived on a two-day working visit in Tatarstan. The guests visited Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, where they got acquainted with the investment potential of the republic, and had a meeting with Chairman of Tatarstan State Council Farid Mukhametshin. Danko spoke at the opening ceremony of Tatarstan – Slovakia business forum.

Before the meeting, Minnikhanov and Danko took part in a ceremony of signing a cooperation agreement between Tatneft Oil Company and the Slovnaft Company (an oil refining complex in Slovakia).

Opening the meeting, Minnikhanov emphasized that the visit of the Head of the Slovak Parliament to Tatarstan will give a good impetus to the development of cooperation aimed at strengthening relations between Russia and Slovakia. “Today, trade turnover between our countries is increasing and amounts to 6 billion US dollars. The Russian-Slovak intergovernmental commission on economic, scientific and technical cooperation is actively working,” Tatarstan President said.

He emphasized that Slovakia is one of the foreign economic partners of Tatarstan. The mutual trade turnover increased by 23 per cent and amounted to 540 million US dollars last year. However, Minnikhanov said that the trade turnover exceeded 900 million US dollars in 2013. “We should aim at this indicator. We have significant potential for the development of mutual trade. We should implement it as much as possible. Tatarstan can be an excellent venue for entering the Slovak business to the Russian market,” Tatarstan President said.

He added that there are all opportunities for localization of business in Tatarstan. The well-developed infrastructure includes special economic zones, advanced development territories, technoparks and industrial sites. Minnikhanov also said that Tatarstan is one of the leading industrialized regions of Russia.

Danko, in his turn, raised the issue of opening a Slovak Representative Office in Tatarstan. “If we have a Consulate General in St. Petersburg, we can open it here. We will discuss this issue with Mr. Ambassador. He supports this initiative. This will be my first task upon my return to Slovakia,” Danko said.

Answering the questions from journalists, Tatarstan President commented on the agreement between Tatneft Oil Company and the Slovak Slovnaft Company: “Tatneft is the leading oil company of the republic. They have a lot of directions for cooperation. Companies have already had the experience of interaction. I think this is a very positive signal,” Minnikhanov emphasized.