Tatarstan is ready to exchange KAMAZ vehicles for seafood
The authorities are planning to increase trade turnover between Tatarstan and Kaliningrad region tenfold
The President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov at the meeting with the delegation of Kaliningrad region headed by its governor Nikolay Tsukanov became interested in Baltic fish and ports. In exchange, Tatarstan is ready not only to supply equipment and petrochemical products but also to share experiences in the development of the IT industry and in holding international sporting events. Both heads of regions are confident that in the near future the trade turnover will grow significantly. At the same time, the influence of Minnikhanov may help Kaliningrad Muslims to settle problems with the construction of the mosque.
'In terms of economy the turnover is actually insignificant, but it is rectifiable'
On 14 March, President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov met with the delegation from Kaliningrad region headed by the governor Nikolay Tsukanov. The reason for the visit to the capital of Tatarstan for the representatives of the most Western region of Russia was the participation in the international symposium 'Energy resource efficiency and energy saving' in the framework of the international specialized exhibition 'Energy. Resource saving-2016'. Besides, in the two-day visit, the delegation is planning to visit educational institutions, housing construction sites and sports infrastructure, as well as to establish cooperation in the sphere of economy, education and construction.
Rustam Minnikhanov at the meeting with the delegation from Kaliningrad region suggested describing more specifically the annual programme for the development of cooperation in trade and economic relations, education, medicine, tourism and other areas of the two regions by the results of the meeting. The Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan Albert Karimov was entrusted to coordinate it in Tatarstan.
'Every meeting must give a lot of new directions, and contacts. There are contacts, but we cannot say that we stepped forward sharply,' noted the President of the Republic, speaking of the importance of the meeting.
Nikolay Tsukanov: 'In terms of economy the turnover is actually insignificant, but it is rectifiable, it is needed to specify the trade turnover amount, increase it at least tenfold.' Photo: prav.tatar.ru
According to him, trade turnover between the regions is only 709 million rubles.
'Actually, more than seven hundred million is a small figure for our regions. We have a huge range of products we manufacture. Engineering products, petrochemical products that are necessary for Kaliningrad region. At the same time, there is a great need for food products, especially fish products (...). Well, given the geography of the Kaliningrad region, the presence of ports, logistics centers, for us as a large exporter such contacts would be a great help,' believes Minnikhanov.
The President of the Republic said that they need to increase trade not by 20-30% but more. The governor of the Kaliningrad region expressed confidence that it is possible to increase tenfold.
'Unfortunately, I agree that in terms of economy the turnover is actually insignificant, but it is rectifiable, it is needed to specify the trade turnover amount, increase it at least tenfold,' believes Nikolay Tsukanov.
'It is a small figure, it does not scare us'
According to the governor of the Kaliningrad region, they have what to focus on. So, they are willing to buy Tatarstan buses. Besides, they are interested in urban, harvesting and construction machinery. In its turn, Kaliningrad region is ready to show its products. Later, Rustam Minnikhanov commented on the very ambitious position of the governor of possible growth of trade turnover.
'Perhaps, it is impossible to achieve tenfold, but such tasks should be put. What is tenfold? It's 7 billion rubles. If we convert it into dollars it is $ 100 million. It is a small figure, it does not scare us.'
Promising areas for cooperation between the two regions are settled: expanding the supply of engineering products, including KAMAZ vehicles and NEFAZ buses, the organization of the supply of household chemical goods of JSC Khiton and JSC Nefis Cosmetics, the organization of the supply of light and food industries of the Republic. From Kaliningrad, in its turn, they are planning to supply fish products, about which Minnikhanov mentioned.
From technologies to sport
The parties are also planning to cooperate in the field of transport and logistics. The Republic of Tatarstan can act as a participant in the construction and development of a deepwater port. As Nikolay Tsukanov told, the Kaliningrad region is interested in the experience of Tatarstan in development of SEZ, industrial sites, development of information technologies, education and healthcare.
Minnikhanov noted that the great work is being done for the development of industrial parks and economic zones in the Republic. According to him, now the Republic places high emphasis on so that the work on the expansion of small and medium business would apply to the municipality as well.
'It is we who run, say something, but municipal authorities are in a waiting position. This is not acceptable, we also solve some issues in this area.'
Another objective of the visit of the delegation is to gain the experience of holding the World Cup from the Republic of Tatarstan. The President of the Republic noted that 'if we built and already have some kind of infrastructure, you still need to build it. I think, you will build, no doubt.' As for the construction of a new stadium in Kaliningrad, the President noted that 'although it is needed, but it is a very expensive thing. It is also necessary to understand, to learn our experience, to be ready for new challenges.'
Minnikhanov is ready to support construction of a mosque in Kaliningrad
In the framework of the meeting, they could not help to touch upon problematic issues of the Tatar diaspora. Now, two public associations of Tatars are registered in the Kaliningrad region. However, the region unexpectedly was marked by a series of scandals around the construction of a mosque. In Kazan Nikolay Tsukanov reported that it will be built. Now they choose a site for the construction.
'We will not build a mosque, it will be built by those who need it. We have Muslims, we – the multinational region. Tatars occupy a niche here. I've never kept in secret that I am half-Tatar,' told the governor.
Rustam Minnikhanov thanked for the support of the authorities in the interfaith issue and noted that Tatarstan is ready to support the project of building a mosque.
'It should be not a separate institution, but a center, which will receive people and where they will be properly oriented on the traditional confessions existing in our country,' believes the head of the Republic.