Rustam Minnikhanov presents Tatarstan to foreign mass media

Tatarstan Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov met with representatives of foreign mass media at the Republic of Tatarstan Government House on April 8. Reporters of Reuters News, Moscow Times, Business New Europe, Bloomberg informational agency, Russia Today and Vesti TV-channels arrived in Kazan for a two-day get-to-know visit. Tatarstan is the second Russian region after Yekaterinburg foreign journalists are visiting.

The head of Tatarstan Government Rustam Minnikhanov told journalists about the processes, which take place in the republic at present and which, according to his words, many Russian regions face in the world economic crisis conditions.

According to the Prime Minister’s words, in the first place the crisis influenced the export-oriented enterprises and the companies which had taken credits from western crediting organizations.

Demand decline was observed at some large enterprises in the first quarter of 2008 – first of all in the foreign market, then – in the domestic market. The machine building suffered most. Besides, the number of orders decreased at the enterprises producing mono production (mostly the defense industry complex).In the Republic o Tatarstan OAO KAMAZ and Sollers company (motor cars, microbuses) face the crisis situation.

Meanwhile, Kazan Helicopter Plant has orders for two years ahead even in the economic crisis conditions, Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized.

The oil production industry (OAO Tatneft and over 30 small oil companies of the republic) demonstrated stability during the crisis, Tatarstan Prime Minister believes. According to his word, oilmen managed to mobilize; they even continue a part of investment programmes, though in a shortened volume.

Small business in the republic also suffered from the crisis – particularly the businesses involved in serving economy’s real sector (large industrial enterprises).

The republican authorities are worried about the economic crisis growing into the social crisis, Rustam Minnikhanov stated. According to the recent data, 56 thousand unemployed have been registered in the republic; about 100 thousand work part-time.

“The measures taken by the federal government and crisis-management programmes realized at the republican level give us an opportunity to control the situation,” Tatarstan Premier said. “We receive support from the federal budget and know that we will not have to solve our problems only ourselves.”

Rustam Minnikhanov informed about the agreement, which was signed by Tatarstan Cabinet of Ministers and the Federal Service for Labour and Employment on realization of additional measures aimed at relieving tensions in Tatarstan labour market.

Answering journalists’ questions, Tatarstan Prime Minister said: “We reckon on stabilization of the American economy, because it is the largest and stabilization of the situation in the world depends on it to a large extent”.

Rustam Minikhanov informed about the programme of rendering support to small and medium businesses in the republic. According to his words, incentives need to be created for entrepreneurship at present, because it can provide the country with citizens who consider themselves middle class. Establishing technoparks, industrial grounds will provide small and middle business with necessary infrastructure for development. Tatarstan Prime Minister informed about the technopark ‘Idea’, the Kama Industrial Park ‘Master’, “Himgrad” project and the High Technologies Park (IT-Park).

Talking about development of the special economic zone Alabuga, the head of Tatarstan Government indicated that even in conditions of the economic crisis, resident-companies continue realization of their projects. He informed that on April 7 Rockwool International company had confirmed its intention to construct a new plant of heat-insulating materials on the SEZ Alabuga territory.

Tatarstan Prime Minister informed foreign journalists about formation of an educational cluster in the republic, training of highly qualified labour force, and the policy of tolerance to all religious confessions.

Director General of Tatarstan Informational Technologies Centre Nikolai Nikiforov made presentation of the Republic of Tatarstan E-Government to the journalists. He informed that Tatarstan Government hails openness and transparency in its work. Many sessions at Tatarstan Cabinet of Ministers are held as video conferences and broadcasted online. Foreign mass media representatives had an opportunity to receive evidence of that – their meeting with the Prime Minister was broadcasted in the Internet, and any user could watch it.

Today April 9 foreign journalists continue their acquaintance with Tatarstan. They are to meet with Kazan mayor, visit OAO Kazanorgsintez, and go for several city tours, the press-service of Tatarstan Cabinet of Ministers informs.