On April 30, at Tatarstan-Turkey Business forum, members of Tatarstan delegation said that Tatarstan leadership is interested in attraction of Antalya investors to different economic sectors, and is willing to offer wide opportunities. Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and more than 100 Turkish businessmen took part in the forum.

Opening the forum, Board Chairman of Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Çetin Osman Budak said that since 2002 Kazan and Antalya have been twin cities, and Tatarstan and Turkey Chambers of Commerce and Industry signed an agreement in 2006. He also noted that Antalya businessmen are going to visit Tatarstan, and offered organizing joint days of culture of Tatarstan and Antalya.

Consul General of Russia in Antalya Aleksandr Tolstopyatenko assured members of Tatarstan delegation of supporting all Tatarstan projects in Antalya, and Turkish businessmen – of helping in their work in Tatarstan.

Speaking about prospects of cooperation between Tatarstan and Antalya, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Turkey takes the first place by the number of enterprises with foreign participation in Tatarstan. Trade turnover of Tatarstan and Turkey exceeded 650 million dollars in 2013, the amount of stated Turkish investments in the Republic of Tatarstan made 1.5 billion dollars.

Among important events to be held in 2014 Rustam Minnikhanov mentioned opening of a number of major Turkish companies at SEZ “Alabuga”. Tatarstan President also mentioned that Consulate-General of the Republic of Turkey is working in Kazan, there is a representative office of Tatarstan in Istanbul, and regular flights between Istanbul and Tatarstan cities are available.

Rustam Minnikhanov continued that Turkish companies can implement their projects at Tatarstan industrial enterprises. Tatarstan leadership also counts on expansion of contacts in tourism. He suggested organizing regular flights between Tatarstan and Antalya.

Rustam Minnikhanov supported the proposal of the Head of Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry concerning organization of the visit of Turkish businessmen to Tatarstan, and joint days of culture.

Summing up, Tatarstan President said that Tatarstan leadership is willing to provide comfortable conditions for Turkish investors and invited them to Tatarstan.