On November 6, at his meeting with delegation of the Czech Republic led by Minister of Industry and Trade Jan Mládek at the Kazan Kremlin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that the Czech Republic is one of leading foreign economic partners of Tatarstan.

The meeting was held after signing the Memorandum of intentions on localization of production of metalworking machines at SEZ “Alabuga” between Tatarstan Ministry of Industry and Trade and a Czech company ALTA invest.

Rustam Minnikhanov thanked Czech partners for their hospitality during the visit of Tatarstan delegation to Prague and South Moravian region in September 2014.

“We appreciate opportunities of cooperation between Tatarstan and the Czech Republic within the framework of relations between Russia and the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is one of leading foreign economic partners of Tatarstan,” Rustam Minnikhanov said. He noted that by results of 2013, foreign trade turnover between Tatarstan and the Czech Republic made 162,1 million dollars.

Tatarstan President also reminded participants of the meeting that Trade-economic representative office of the Republic of Tatarstan is working in the Czech Republic, and Czech visa center and companies are successfully working in Tatarstan.

Jan Mládek, in his turn, said that he is glad that relations with Tatarstan are successfully developing. “In spite of tough international political situation Russia is still a very important partner for us. Cooperation and progress are mutually beneficial for us. This is one of the reasons why our delegation is visiting Kazan,” he said.

Jan Mládek expressed his hope that bilateral foreign trade turnover between the parties would increase by means of technological produce, and research work that is developing in Tatarstan. He also was satisfied with the decision to reopen air links between Prague and Kazan.

The delegation of the Czech Republic is visiting Tatarstan on November 5-7. The guests have visited OAO “Tatkhimfarmpreparaty”, OAO “Kazan helicopters plant”, taken part in a roundtable at Tatarstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a match of veterans of Czech and Tatarstan ice hockey.