Mintimer Shaimiev: «Russia becomes more and more attractive for foreign investments»

“Tatarstan was one of the most active participants of the XVII International exhibition of the commercial real estate "MIPIM-2006" in spite of the fact that it was a debutant of the forum”, - RT President Mintimer Shaimiev stated summing up the visit of official delegation of the republic to Cannes (France).

Tatarstan participated in an exhibition in structure of the Russian exposition. In interview which RT President granted on the eve onboard the plane after the end of visit, he emphasized, that due to the initiative of the Ministry of economic development and trade of the Russian Federation tens regions of Russia this year have presented their projects at an exhibition in Cannes. It proves, that today the teams interested in developing investment projects have appeared and tuned for serious work with investors. As an example the head of republic referred to the Krasnodar territory which had presented at very high level the complex development program of the city Sochi and sphere of tourism and rest.

Mintimer Shaimiev noted the immense interest to the exposition of Tatarstan which had presented in Cannes more than 50 major investment projects and at once has come in number of leaders of the exhibition among the Russian regions. RT President informed, that during the exhibition arrangements had been achieved that next year Tatarstan would pose as a leading part in the united exposition of the Russian Federation. This proposal received the support from the both organizers of the exhibition, and Minister of economic development and trade of the Russian Federation Herman Gref. According to the head of republic, next year the stand of Kazan becomes the main element in the Russian exposition.

RT President considers, that the international exhibition of the real estate in Cannes gives a real opportunity to attract investors who could undertake organization of construction. He is confident, that Tatarstan enjoys excellent opportunities for attracting foreign investments into sphere of the real estate. In particular, the construction projects of Kazan were discussed at the exhibition «MIPIM - 2006» . Besides, the capital of Tatarstan, with its rich history, could make quite much in sphere of developing tourism, RT President noticed. «I think, that the next year we shall prepare some projects relating to building the whole complexes, first of all, in the city centre, and residential districts», - Mintimer Shaimiev said. A big potential is hidden in building projects of the republican towns , settlements, landscape territories, he noted. The attention of Tatarstan delegation in Cannes has been drawn by presentation of development project of London. «The largest world capitals already today aspire to see, how they will develop in the future, - RT President marked. - In such cities as London, Paris, in capitals of the Arabian states, projects of perspective development more than for 20 years » are developed. Already now the largest megacities represent the projects and start to involve investors for them.

One of the major results of visit to Cannes, in Mintimer Shaimiev's opinion, became acquaintance with the largest scientific - technological park "Sofia-Antipolis". Tatarstan leader was struck with scales of this innovative center: today in the French technopark over 27 thousand people are working. Tatarstan is considered the best in the Russian Federation under innovative projects, however these are only first steps in the field of creating technoparks and business - incubators, RT President said. The head of republic informed, that during visiting the French technopark arrangements on training young experts from Tatarstan at the research centers "Sofia - Antipolis" were achieved. “We have agreed upon cooperation, and it is our mutual interest”, - he said.

Mintimer Shaimiev especially noted, that today in order «to be adequately presented in the world, it is necessary to develop in appropriate way: to raise quality of services, to be under construction, expand infrastructure». In approaches to construction, architecture it is necessary to avoid hasty decisions, the head of republic considers. Therefore it is necessary to participate in the international forums actively. «To keep abreast with world processes, it is necessary for Tatarstan to create attractive investment projects and adequately to represent them at this prestigious international exhibition”, - RT President emphasized.

He emphasized, that today in Russia as a whole there is the most important condition for attracting investments, it is a political stability. Mintimer Shaimiev also noted, that for creating a favorable investment climate in Russia it is necessary to remove some gaps in the legislation which requires elaboration for foreign investors were sure, that they can buy the land under long-term projects. According to RT President during acquaintance with exposition presented by Russia and its regions, many questions of foreign investors concerned tax loading. «Tax loading in Russia is not higher, than in many other countries», - Tatarstan leader emphasized. One more important aspect are issues of property: foreign investors should know, that their rights in the another's country will be protected by the state, Mintimer Shaimiev emphasized. “The most important at present stage - to reveal existing problems, and in due time to solve them”, he said .

«Not to commit mistakes in strategic development, it is necessary to come out with large projects at the international level», - President of Tatarstan considers. This , in his opinion, will allow to make use of the accumulated world experience to the full. «Visiting of such exhibitions moves us to a completely new level», - the head of republic emphasized. «I think, that Russia becomes more and more attractive for foreign investments», - Mintimer Shaimiev concluded.