Rustam Minnikhanov holds a number of meetings during the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi
On February 15, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov held some meetings and business talks during the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi.
In particular, a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Russia Pasquale Terracciano discussed topical issues of mutually beneficial cooperation, prospects for the further development of Italian business in the republic.
Minnikhanov noted that Tatarstan actively cooperates with Italian companies as part of relations between Russia and Italy. He thanked the Italian Embassy in Russia for organizing the visit of the delegation of the Republic of Tatarstan to Milan in December 2017 and also reminded that the delegation of the Association of Italian Industrialists in Russia visited Kazan in September 2017.
Minnikhanov stated that over the past few years the trade turnover between Tatarstan and Italy has significantly decreased. At the same time, in 2017 (for nine months of the year), the bilateral foreign trade turnover between Tatarstan and the Italian Republic grew by 37 per cent as compared to the previous year.
Among promising areas Minnikhanov called cooperation in the field of petrochemical industry, oil refining, automotive industry, tire production, medicine, and others.
In his turn, the Ambassador noted the cooperation between the TAIF Production and Investment Company and a number of Italian companies.
Minnikhanov invited Pasquale Terracciano to pay a visit to Tatarstan and Kazan in particular.
At his meeting with Israeli Ambassador in Russia Harry Koren, Tatarstan President noted that Israel is a country of high technology and has achieved significant results in industry, electronics, and other areas. We are interested in cooperation with Israeli colleagues Minnikhanov said. We need to intensify our relations, he added.
Minnikhanov suggested holding a regular meeting of the Russian-Israeli intergovernmental commission in Kazan.
He also said that Tatarstan is ready to receive a business delegation from Israel to show the economic and investment potential of the region. The development of joint projects, the integration of our businesses will strengthen relations and bring them to a new level, Minnikhanov said.
Later on the same day, Minnikhanov met General Director of METRO Cash & Carry Russia Jerry Calmis, who briefed him about the company's plans to expand its business in Tatarstan. Currently, the company has three implemented projects in the region, including two shopping centres in Kazan and one centre in Naberezhnye Chelny.
The representatives of METRO Cash and Carry suggested launching a project to support small and medium-sized businesses in Tatarstan, and discussed the construction of a compact urban format shopping center "METRO" in Kazan.
A final meeting with Head of Gagauzia (Republic of Moldova) Irina Vlach exchanged views on further cooperation and exchange of experience.