Tatarstan citizens in Austria: business meetings, the Museumsquartier promenade and a passion for barbecue
The main participants of the Tatarstan delegation told at the briefing in the Government House about the first results of the European trip to the Czech Republic and Austria. The Tatarstan–Austrian business forum, which was represented by Rustam Minnikhanov personally, took place almost during a break between the first and second stages of the presidential election in Austria. Perhaps, the moment was not chosen by chance: a new head of the state can be against the anti-Russian sanctions. So, Tatarstan has demonstrated a willingness to become one of the first trading partners of this country.
Austria is preparing a return visit to Tatarstan
The Minister of Industry and Trade of Tatarstan Albert Karimov told that the trading-economic relations with the Republic of Austria are not as impressive as they would like them to be. It can be said that they have weakened.
'Foreign trade turnover between Tatarstan and Austria in 2015 amounted to only $56 million. Tatarstan exports petrochemical products (plastics and rubber) and imports machinery and equipment,' he said, refraining from comments. And they are not needed. This apparently modest figure showed most eloquently how both sides have lost interest in each other. Especially if you know that GDP of Austria in 2015 was a record at $370 billion.
'We had good relations with Austria, but after the known events they curtailed contacts with Russia and switched to Ukraine and Belarus. But now they began to see the light,' explained the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tatarstan Shamil Ageyev, making it clear that Austria can change the economic policy towards Russia. 'It is a small country, and it is impressed by the Republic of Tatarstan.'
'The central event of the trip was the Tatarstan–Austrian business forum, where we presented the investment and tourism potential of Tatarstan,' said Albert Karimov. Here they discussed the perspective directions of trade-economic cooperation, held direct meetings of representatives of business circles of Tatarstan and the Austrian Republic, which were attended by Tatarstan enterprises KAMAZ and AK BARS Bank, Tatkhimfarmpreparaty. Also, the Tatarstan delegation took part in a working lunch in the Austrian-Russian friendship society. A return visit of the Austrian delegation is expected tomorrow.'
Austria has become interested in TAIF and Tatneft
According to the head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina, during the trip, the Agency presented investment potential of the Republic and held talks with a number of foreign companies, which, by the way, are very interested in the collaboration.
For example, BERTSCH company, which specializes in the production and supply of power generation equipment, intends to develop cooperation with Tatarstan in two areas – heat power engineering and processing of milk and meat.
Also, the Austrian side is not averse to work with our companies KER-Holding, Generating company and TAIF in the field of energy. And one of the largest manufacturers of the elevator equipment is considering the possibility of localization of production capacities on the territory of the SEZ Alabuga. In its turn, the company that specializes in the field of chemistry and petrochemistry is interested in establishing relations with Kazanorgsintez, Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Tatneft and TAIF.
Shashlik zones straight from Vienna
Despite a heavy workload, Rustam Minnikhanov took the time to visit the Museumsquartier in Vienna in the company of Natalia Fishman. This quarter includes numerous museums and cultural institutions that previously were located separately in different districts of the Austrian capital, and the area of the object is 90 thousand square meters. According to Fishman, the marketing policies and the programmes of 'the unprecedented object' in Vienna in under supervision of a special management company.
Also, Minnikhanov had an opportunity to appreciate the work of the famous Austrian artist Gustav Klimt in the most visited Museum of the quarter — the Leopold Museum. The President especially was interested in a souvenir shop at the Museum. And it is no wonder: the souvenir vendors in Austria love to put images of Klimt paintings on almost all items, ranging from mugs to earrings, and usually they are in large quantities in displays. It looks like complete madness.
After visiting the Museumsquartier, the President charged to organize and hold training seminars for museum specialists in order to acquaint them with current trends. Interesting and useful tricks, for example the correct lights setting at exhibitions, are planned to use in our museums.
According to RT President assistant Natalia Fishman, while walking in Vienna Rustam Minnikhanov was particularly interested in the organization of barbecue in the green areas. For us it is a relevant issue, as it is prohibited to make campfires or shashlik in forest and park areas of RT.
'In Vienna the public space is controlled by the three departments. One of them held a contest among the students of the local university on creating a safe zone for barbecue. Ultimately, there have been organized special tables on secure concreted area, local people can rent them for € 10 via the Internet,' told Fishman.
Also, the speaker noted that after the visit Rustam Minnikhanov charged to study the Vienna experience in order to apply it in Tatarstan.
The Muslim spiritual board will work with the media at KazanSummit
Taliya Minullina told about the upcoming international economic summit 'Russia –Islamic world: KazanSummit'. This event will be held for the eighth time and this year will be held from 19 to 21 May. Starting from 15 May, in Kazan there will gather the authors of 50 projects from 35 countries of the organization of Islamic cooperation and regions of Russia, interested in acquiring new business contacts and investments for the implementation of startup projects in the IT field.
'We expect the heads of the subjects of the Russian Federation, more than 20 ambassadors, 12 representatives of the Ministries of the OIC,' said Taliya Minullina. 'Among the participants — Moscow, St.-Petersburg, Chuvashiya, Crimea, Chechnya, Ingushetia, and many others. For each section we will arrange a partner. For example, in partnership with the Muslim spiritual board there will be held the section 'Online media: dealing with DAISH (the Arabic name for the banned terrorist group ISIS, operating in the Middle East)'.
According to the speaker, if in the early years the main focus of the summit was on the conducting and organization of meetings with foreign guests, but now the emphasis have shifted a bit and there are other tasks — the signing of different kinds of agreements.