December 29, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the launch of a new unit at the Minnebayev gas processing plant, part of Tatneftegazopererabotka.The launched unit is a DSG cryogenic unit that will raise production of processed oil gas from 53 to 91 percent. This should increase the output from 85 to 140 thousand tpa.Rustam Minnikhanov, accompanied by his aide Rinat Sabirov, Tatneft general director Shafgat Takhautdinov and Almetiev municipal region head Rishat Abubakirov, toured the plant.Tatneftegazpererabotka chief Farit Zakiev said the new unit was the only one in Russia. It is built on global-standard technologies, including energy saving, deep freezing (183.7 C minus), its reusing and high degree of automation. Unique imported cryogenic equipment has been used in its construction.

RT President Rustam Minnikhanov held a traditional Pre-New Year meeting with rectors of universities in House of RT Government. By words of Rustam Minnikhanov, today higher school plays one of the leading roles in solving tasks set before our country due to processes of economic modernization. He also noted that both the process of instruction and moral education of the youth should be priority issues. Rustam Minnikhanov shared impressions with rectors about his trip to Novosibirsk and visit to Siberian branch of Russian Academy of sciences. By his words, he was impressed by high level of scientific processes, development of high school and approaches to Siberian branch of Russian Academy of sciences. Rustam Minnikhanov considers that republican universities also have high scientific potential that should be developed using global experience and standards.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met with winners of the open republican televised youth variety arts festival Sozvezdie-Yoldyzlyk-2010 at the Kazan Kremlin on December 28.Talking with the festival winners, the Tatarstan President said that today the variety arts festival Sozvezdie-Yoldyzlyk is one of the best successful projects, still unparalleled in Russia.

Slash and drizzling rain are coming to republic in the nearest two days. This has been said today by Head of Department on hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring Sergey Zakharov at special session of Commission on prevention and liquidation of emergency situations and ensuring of fire safety in RT. The session was held by RT First deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of commission Ravil Muratov in House of RT Government (Kazan) in format of video conference with participation of all municipal regions. According to data of Department on hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring, on December, 28 air temperature in republic will make 2-7 degrees below zero. From December, 29 the temperature will be decreasing. Snowfalls clutter traffic on federal, regional and municipal highways.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov pledged to name the culprits responsible for failing the social mortgage construction, he said at a traditional working meeting at the Cabinet of Ministers. Rustam Minnikhanov cited Tatarstanstat, saying 1.844 million square meters (91.3 percent of the plan) had been as of December 23 put into operation. A total of 468 thousand square metres, or 57 percent of the plan, has been commissioned under the State Housing Fund programme. Tatarstan construction minister Irek Faizullin said the amount of construction that would not be possible to put into operation before the year’s end was 132 thousand square metres in social mortgage construction. The contractors plan to complete the buildings in 2011, he noted.

Granting benefits for paying regional taxes is an efficient way for attracting investments into RT economy. This has been announced by RT Minister of economy Midkhat Shagiakhmetov while speaking at the session of RT State Council.Midkhat Shagiakhmetov informed in his report that benefits in Tatarstan are granted by two taxes – transport and property. RT Minister of economy divided “beneficiaries” into three groups. The first one refers to budget institutions completely exempted from property tax according to law, for more efficient use of budget funds. The second group applies to enterprises having property tax benefits also in accordance with law. In particular, electric transport companies are fully exempted from taxes, agricultural producers pay property tax under preferential rate. The same relates to enterprises producing trucks , first of all, JSC “KAMAZ”. Large investment projects realized in Tatarstan make the third group of beneficiaries.

New state award – medal “For merits in development of local self-government in RT” will appear in Tatarstan. The bill of the Republic of Tatarstan “On making alterations in RT Law “On state awards of the Republic of Tatarstan” has been approved by RT State Council in the third final reading.It should be noted that the necessity of introducing such award was discussed not so long ago at the session of V congress of RT Council of municipal formations with participation of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov met with Consul General of the Republic of Turkey in Kazan Ahmet Tuta on Thursday, December 23.Ahmet Tuta is finishing his work in the Republic of Tatarstan due to transfer to a new diplomatic post.Many events which were significant both for Tatarstan economy and the Turkish economy happened while Ahmet Tuta was in office, Rustam Minnikhanov noted.“What concerns Tatarstan, we always supported contacts with the Turkish Republic in economy, culture, education, healthcare and other fields,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.