Rustam Minnikhanov at a plenary session of the KazanForum 2023: It is important to use KazanForum for discussing new models of the international business cooperation

On 19 May speaking at the plenary session of the ХIV International Economic Forum “Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2023” held at the Kazan Expo Exhibition Center, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that it is a great honour and responsibility to host participants and guests of this  important international event in Kazan.

He expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for continuous support of cooperation between Russia and the Islamic countries at the regional level and to all federal ministries and departments, heads of Russian regions and representatives of business and to all those who took part in preparations of the KazanForum.

Rustam Minnikhanov said: “On the background of cardinal shifts and great challenges at the international arena, ties with the Islamic world are gaining special importance. The personal initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who 20 years ago was the first of Russian leaders to take part in the meeting of the OIC, played a huge role in the multi-faceted cooperation with Muslim states. Today Russia has the status of the observer by the OIC, which is the most important interstate institute of the Islamic world.

Poly-ethnic and poly-confessional character of Russia defines the meaning of the Islamic factor in the internal life of the country. The Muslim umma (community) of the country comprises more than 20 million people and consists of representatives of indigenous peoples who adopted Islam many centuries ago.”

In his speech Rustam Minnikhanov said that positions of Russia and Muslim countries are similar in many issues of world development and cooperation between them plays an important role in development of a just world order with diversity of cultures and values.

“The most important part of interaction is trade-economic and investments sphere and Islamic economy is the most important part of the world economy. It is also important that the new Concept of the Russian Foreign Policy says that the states of Islamic friendly civilization are becoming more and more wanted and reliable partners of our country in ensuring security and stability and solving economic issues both at the global and regional levels.”

He said that in this respect the KazanForum is a unique as a platform where its participants can discuss import replacement and strengthening of technological sovereignty in the countries, organize work of joint transport corridors and implement joint investments projects. “For 14 years already the Forum integrates representatives of international organizations, state bodies, financial institutions, diplomatic representative offices, parliamentarians, leading investor and top-managers of Russian and foreign companies, who together are solving such tasks  as development of recommendations in defining strategic prospects of development of international economic, scientific-technical, social and cultural relations, facilitation of strengthening business relations between business communities of Russia the CIS and the OIC countries,” Rustam Minnikhanov continued.

He said that the KazanForum is an efficient economic tool of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, the regular meeting of which was held on the sidelines of the Forum on 19 May.

The Rais of Tatarstan attracted special attention of the Forum participants to big prospects Russia has in development of Islamic finances, Halal market and reminded that last year the Russian State Duma passed a draft law on the experiment of organizing partnership financing in four regions of Russia, including Tatarstan, from 1 February 2023, when participants will make financial transaction following the Sharia. He also informed that last December the Sber opened its first office in Kazan specializing in providing services based on principles of Islamic financing.

“Today it is important to use the KazanForum for discussing new models of international business cooperation which decrease technical vulnerability of each country and also actively to work in expanding cooperation with the Islamic world in science, education, culture, sports, tourism and youth affairs. I am sure that the future joint work of the OICYF and the new All-Russia movement Pioneers of Russia with make an important humanitarian contribution into building a multipolar and stable world based on values of mutual respect and cultural diversity”, Rustam Minnikhanov concluded.