The XIV International Economic Forum “RUSSIA—ISLAMIC WORLD: KAZANFORUM” 2023 is taking place in Kazan, Tatarstan, 18-19 May 2023.
Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Marat Khusnullin, opened the event.
“The main slogan of our events is “Trust and Cooperation”. Trust has become the most important factor in the development of relations between Russia and Muslim countries, not only in the economic sphere, but also in all the diversity of our cooperation, which today has acquired the character of a strategic partnership. KazanForum has established itself as a platform for establishing sustainable relationships. About 15,000 guests from 84 countries of the world will take part in the events,” said Marat Khusnullin.
According to him, the strategic nature of the partnership not only strengthens relations, but also opens up new prospects. “This is evidenced by the growth of trade between Russia and the states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation by almost 30% over the past three years. I am deeply convinced that, by joining forces, together we will be able to overcome the existing challenges and achieve prosperity for our states and peoples,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
The Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Mammetkhan Chakiev, is leading the Turkmen delegation.
At a meeting with Chakiev, Marat Khusnullin noted that joint work is underway to implement a number of major infrastructure projects, expand the range of mutual trade and develop the North-South international transport corridor. The Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov was present during the meeting.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, the investment project for the construction of a logistics center of Turkmenistan on the territory of a special economic zone in the Astrakhan region deserves special attention. It will become an important incentive for the development of cargo transportation between Central Asia and Russia, and will contribute to the development of the North-South transport corridor. Documents on cooperation in the areas of organization of maritime traffic, implementation of infrastructure projects in the field of railway transport are being worked out, an agreement on the development of roads is being prepared.
Chakiev, speaking at a session on the North-South international transport corridor, said that Turkmenistan has great potential in the logistics of transit flows, especially considering the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, which is the eastern branch of the North-South direction. He noted that the Eastern route of this corridor, according to economic assessment, will require less capital costs compared to other routes, and added that Turkmenistan has launched the procedure for joining this ITC.
He also spoke about the work with representatives of Russia, Kazakhstan and Iran to ensure seamless service, the formation of a single through tariff throughout the route.
He mentioned that a private cargo terminal was already operating at the Artyk station on the Ashgabat-Mary line, and there were several rail and road crossing points in Turkmenistan with the neighbouring countries for the transportation and transit in any direction.
Chakiev said that the Turkmenbashi port was an important link in the north-south connectivity.
He added that the construction of the Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan highway through the Garabogaz region would add to the options.
At the same time, Turkmenistan focuses on the introduction of digital technologies in the field of transport and logistics in order to ensure transparency, reliability and security of cargo transportation. Automated cargo tracking systems, electronic documents and online platforms will reduce bureaucratic procedural barriers and speed up cargo processing.
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said that Russia will invest up to 280 billion rubles (about USD 3.5 billion) in the construction of the North-South International Transport Corridor (ITC). He said that it should provide trade routes through the Persian Gulf to the countries of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.
Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, speaking on this topic, noted that the development of transit routes in the directions of the Caspian region, South and Southeast Asia, and the Persian Gulf countries is a priority for the Russian Federation. “We believe that by 2025 the cargo turnover in this direction should double – up to at least 30 million tons, and by 2030 – up to 35 million tons. This is 155% more than in 2021,” said Khusnullin.
The Deputy Prime Minister Khusnullin thanked the head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and all the organizers for the high level of preparation of the forum. The interest that the event arouses, the number of guests and the geography of the countries confirm that Russia and the Islamic states are bound by strong ties of friendship, the Deputy Prime Minister noted.
After the grand opening of KazanForum, Marat Khusnullin, together with Rustam Minnikhanov, as well as participants and guests of the event, toured the Russia Halal Expo, an international exhibition exposition of the halal industry, where investment and infrastructure projects are presented.
Turkmenistan also has a stall at the exhibition. The Rais of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, the Deputy Prime Minister Khusnullin, and other guests visited the stall of Turkmenistan.
KazanForum website:
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” has been held in Russia since 2009. It has become a platform for discussing issues of cooperation and implementation of joint projects, strengthening trade, economic, scientific, technical, social and cultural ties between the regions of the Russian Federation and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
This event – KazanForum – was previously known as KazanSummit.
This year’s event has attracted a record 15000 participants from 85 countries and 84 regions of Russia, including deputy prime ministers and heads of regions of Russia, ministers and ambassadors of foreign countries, businessmen and even Miss Universe. Over 200 events are taking place in the framework of the KazanForum and about 100 agreements are expected to be signed.
KazanForum is the largest event of its kind, held annually in Tatarstan, a predominantly Muslim majority region of the Russian Federation. About 700 journalists from 40 countries are covering the event.
One of the major side events is the Russia Halal Market, taking place 17-20 May 2023 at the Agro-Industrial Park of Kazan. The exhibition, covering an area of 14000 square meters, features more than 300 exhibitors. The Muslim Spiritual Board of Tatarstan has carried out the Halal compliance check for the products at display.
Last year, Russia produced almost 200,000 tons of halal products worth about $1.5 billion for export, mostly meat products. Russia plans to introduce a new Halal accreditation scheme in Russia and the formation of its own expert community.
Also, the VII Forum of Young Diplomats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries started in Tatarstan . The discussion platform discussed the promotion of Russia’s foreign policy interests, as well as the development of bilateral and multilateral economic ties between the OIC member countries. /// nCa, 19 May 2023 [with input from Russian and Turkmen media] [pictures credit TDH, Turkmenportal, SalamNews]