Rustam Minnikhanov: We see growing interest from domestic and foreign colleagues in the KazanForum platform

On 17 December, speaking at a meeting of the organizational committee for preparations and holding the International Economic Forum “Russia-the Islamic world: KazanForum” in 2026 held in Moscow, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said: “We see growing interest from our domestic and foreign colleagues in the KazanForum platform, which is designed to serve as a venue for meetings, dialogue, and cooperation between our country and the Islamic world.” 

Speaking at the meeting, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin stated that the first meeting in September summed up the results of the previous forum and identified tasks for preparation for the next one. “Overall, the work has progressed. It is necessary to work through the unfulfilled points of the minutes of the organizing committee meeting as soon as possible and ensure that the events in 2026 are prepared at a high level,” he said. 

In his turn Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that Tatarstan actively interacts with countries of the Islamic world and the trade turnover with them exceeded 5.1bn dollars US in nine months of the current year.

He also thanked all partners, departments and federal executive bodies that submitted their proposals for the forum's business program and noted large work in attracting industrial enterprises and regions to take part in the International Exhibition of cooperation of Russia and the Islamic world.

The Rais of Tatarstan also informed about delegations from the republic having visited Turkey, Malaysia, Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the CIS and other countries which allowed to invite a wide range of partners to the upcoming KazanForum.  He told about visits of high level guests such as the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, the National Leader of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow, the OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha and others having visited Kazan in the current year and a representative office of the AAOIFI to be opened in Kazan on 26 December. 

In order to promote Russian investment projects in foreign markets, Rustam Minnikhanov proposed that the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Development, assist in inviting investment and venture funds from the OIC countries to the upcoming KazanForum.

Rustam Minnikhanov also emphasized achievements of the republic and the country in agriculture, AI and other spheres and reminded that the KazanForum 2026 will be held as part of a landmark event – ​​Kazan having received the status of the cultural capital of the Islamic world which was the topic of a presentation at the Russian Foreign Ministry on 15 December. 

 “I am sure that through joint efforts the upcoming KazanForum will be organized at a high and proper level, “the Rais of Tatarstan added. 

Tatarstan Deputy Prime Minister Shamil Gafarov, who is the Chief of the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers of the republic, the Head of the Tatarstan Investments Development Agency Taliya Minullina and other officials also took part in the meeting.