On May 27, at a report and election meeting of the Association of enterprises and entrepreneurs of the Republic of Tatarstan in Kazan, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that the Association plays an important role in Tatarstan economic development.

Opening the meeting, President of the Association Aleksandr Lavrentiev thanked regional enterprises for support in holding WorldSkills Russia championship.

Rustam Minnikhanov also noted merits of event managers and participants of the championship, and especially thanked companies that deal with staff policy. He presented awards to members of Tatarstan team, who won in team overall, and heads of enterprises that rendered support in holding the event.

Executive Vice-President of Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs Viktor Cherepov welcomed participants of the meeting. President of the Association of enterprises and entrepreneurs of the Republic of Tatarstan Aleksandr Lavrentiev reported on results of work for the last three years. He told that 108 main industrial enterprises are members of the Association, 80 per cent of industrial output are produced at these enterprises.

Summing up, Rustam Minnikhanov said that the Association of enterprises and entrepreneurs plays an important role in economic development of the republic and called for involving new members to the association.

Tatarstan President believes that development of innovative sector, modernization and creation of new enterprises will help maintaining the same growth rates. In particular, he focused on increase of labour productivity, energy and resource efficiency.

Rustam Minnikhanov supported the proposal of Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade about creation of Industry Development Fund. He also noted positive experience of the republic in working with federal development institutes in the sphere of establishment of large enterprises.

Rustam Minnikhanov believes that Kama innovative industrial cluster will be a perspective area in the next 10 years. In his opinion, industrial platforms, such as Special Economic Zone “Alabuga”, should become driving force of regional economy.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Russian President set the task to be in top 20 countries for doing business, and Tatarstan is among leading regions in this area.

Summing up, Rustam Minnikhanov estimated work of the Association as satisfactory. He also presented some awards to members of the Association.