Tatarstan and Ecuador establish cooperation

Participation in development of South American oil fields, Oka cars assembly production, export of tropical fruit and flowers - the Republic of Ecuador is ready to cooperate with Tatarstan in these spheres. This was discussed on August 14 during the meeting in the Kazan Kremlin of RT President Mintimer Shaimiev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Ecuador in the Russian Federation Mrs. Jimena Martines de Peres.

This visit, according to Mintimer Shaimiev, should further promote trade and economic cooperation between Tatarstan and Ecuador. The diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Russia have been developing already for a long time. They were lately characterized by a significant increase in commodity exchange between the two countries: from USD 5 mln in 1991 up to 200 mln in 2001. Ecuador delivers fruit, vegetables, coffee, cocoa, and also flowers. As the ambassador informed, in September Russia and Ecuador are to sign an agreement on economic and technical cooperation.

The basis of Ecuador national economy is petroleum industry. The oil pipeline under construction will double the production of heavy crude oil. According to the RT President's opinion, the vast experience of Tatneft on drilling, well-operating, and oil transportation will be useful here. During the meeting in the RT Ministry of Trade and External Economic Cooperation Mrs. Martines de Peres expressed major interest in oil extracting and oil processing in Tatarstan. These problems will certainly be discussed during the future visit to Russia of representatives of the oil company "Petroequador".

One more area of interest is mechanical engineering. The republican government is interested in low-budget "people's automobile" - Tatarstan Oka. Deliveries of KamAZ trucks to Ecuador may be resumed as well.