Rustam Minnikhanov: Today we have good opportunities for development of interregional cooperation between Russia and China
On 7 September, speaking at the opening ceremony of the international economic forum “ROSTKI: Russia and China-mutually beneficial cooperation” held at the Kazan Expo Exhibition Center in Kazan, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that due to personal efforts of leaders of Russia and China, the countries have created good opportunities for the development of interregional cooperation.
“The important task to be solved in the nearest future is to increase the sustainability of industrial sphere under new conditions. China is a reliable partner in achievement of the set goals,” he emphasized.
The Rais of the republic informed that the business programme of the forum comprises 40 sessions in 11 topics related to most important and burning issues of bilateral cooperation The participants of the forum can also attend the Russia-China Expo exhibition which presents large Russian and Chinese investment and infrastructural projects and a number of machine-building and metal-processing enterprises. Various models of Chinese cars are exhibited on a separate site.
Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that the forum also comprises a cultural and sports programme, including the friendly chess competition between Russia and China twin-cities, a hockey play between the Ak-Bars and the Kunlun Red Star teams, Russia-China friendship youth festival and many other events.
“We are expecting to reach concrete agreements and sign mutually beneficial contracts between Russian and Chinese companies on the sidelines of the forum,”Rustam Minnikhanov said and added that next year the forum is planned to be held on 14-15 November.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Government Mardan Mukiyit gave high assessment to the Russia-China cooperation potential, having said: “Mutually beneficial and inter-complementary cooperation is our common goal. We believe that due to our efforts we will manage to find new ways for development of our business ties.”
In his turn, the Governor of Kirov region Aleksandr Sokolov said: “By their friendly relations the leaders of our countries laid a good foundation for long-term cooperation of Russia and China. This needs concrete projects and I think that the format of today’s forum will facilitate achievement of this goal.”
The Head of Komi Republic Vladimir Uyba emphasized: “Today China is our largest trade partner not only in timber industry but in the number of others as well. We are interested in development of our all-round contacts. I am sure that the forum will help to strengthen our ties.”
In his turn the Counselor on Trade and Economic Issues of the Embassy of China to Russia Yuan Chun Chi highly assessed the level of the forum organization and emphasized the growing trade turnover of China with Russian regions, including Tatarstan.
After the ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov and guests of the forum walked round the exhibition.
For information:
The first international forum “ROSTKI: Russia and China-mutually beneficial cooperation” held on 7-8 September in Kazan with participation of 3 00 people and 19 official Chinese delegations is a new yearly platform of development of economic cooperation between Russian regions and Chinese provinces. It will serve as a starting point for implementation of new investments projects and establishment of joint productions.