Rustam Minnikhanov: Russia is a huge market for Netherlands and Tatarstan may become an area for developing business of Dutch companies

05.10.2010

RT President Rustam Minnikhanov met with members of Netherland delegation in House of RT government.

Delegation of Netherlands headed by Deputy director general on external economic relations of Ministry of economy of Netherlands Marten van den Berg consists of 30 businessmen. Officials of companies who arrived in Tatarstan work in such spheres as energy, IT sector, agriculture, pharmaceutics, biotechnologies, mechanical engineering.

Rustam Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan and Netherlands are tied by close relationships. In particular, mutually beneficial cooperation in agricultural sector has been established. Netherlands is a traditional foreign trade partner of Tatarstan and during last years holds leading positions by volume of trade turnover. Speaking about cultural relations, the troupe of Tatar academic opera and ballet theatre named after M.Jalil often arrives with performance to Netherlands.

By words of RT President, today not all opportunities have been used in the sphere of establishing relations with the Kingdom of Netherlands.

Rustam Minnikhanov reminded that cooperation with DSM company (Netherlands) on constructing the plant of vitaminous-mineral premixes for forage is developing successfully. He assured the guests that in the nearest future it would be possible to visit the production site and learn about its activity.

Rustam Minnikhanov also noted that republican leadership is ready to create all necessary conditions to bring business of Netherlands to Tatarstan.

“Russia is a huge market for Netherlands and Tatarstan may become an area for developing business of Dutch companies”, - Rustam Minnikhanov said.

Marten van den Berg, in his turn, announced that members of delegation had been impressed by ambitious plans of Tatarstan while visiting republican enterprises. Particularly, innovative way of development was demonstrated in Kazan IT park.

Marten van den Berg presented members of delegation to Rustam Minnikhanov. They were DSM company (agriculture, biotechnologies), ING bank (financing of projects in petrochemistry), Dutch branch of Hitachi (identification equipment) and others.

On finishing the meeting Protocol of intentions was signed between Tatarstan and OOO “DSM Eastern Europe” by RT Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov and Director of OOO “DSM Eastern Europe” Vladimir Bongard. The document implies organization of production of socially significant industrial biotechnological production; formation of stable import-substituted pharmaceutical production; development of research and educational programs on modernization of biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries of Tatarstan.