Russian-Swiss summit to be held in Kazan in October 2007

Kazan becomes the location of 2 major international forums: annual assembly of Managers Council of European Bank of Reconstruction and Development is held on May 20-21 and Russian-Swiss Business Summit – on October 15. This was announced at the meeting of Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Swiss Confederation to Russian Federation Ervin Hover.

Kazan was elected the location of holding the annual assembly of Managers Council of European Bank of Reconstruction and Development in April 2006. more than 1500 heads of foreign companies will arrive in Kazan for this occasion. It is expected that Swiss minister of economy and representatives of leading business-structures of Switzerland will also visit the session of EBRD managers.

Concerning Russian-Swiss business summit, which is planned for October 15, it will become a solid step in consolidation of two-sided mutually beneficial cooperation. Last year became the jubilee year in the history of Russian-Swiss collaboration. The first Swiss embassy opened in Russia 100 years ago.

This is the first meeting of the head of the republic with a Swiss diplomat, which is aimed at “adding a new page in the history of Tatarstan-Swiss cooperation”. Strong traditions of the country, a high level of federalism (Switzerland is a federative parliamentary republic), democracy and the well-being of population are, from Mintimer Shaimiev’s point of view, a perfect model of public organization and a visible example for the world society.

Cooperation of Tatarstan with Switzerland is widening year by year. Switzerland takes the first place on amount of investments into Tatarstan economy. Trade-economic representative office of our republic has been functioning since 2002 in this European country. Breaking the stereotypes of Switzerland will also give an impetus to collaboration. The majority of our compatriots believe that Switzerland is the country of banks, delicious chocolate and world known Swiss watches. Meanwhile it’s the country with the lowest inflation and unemployment. Tatarstan President reminded that Switzerland takes the first place in global rating of economy competition. In this extent, Tatarstan is concerned with further widening of comprehensive cooperation with this country, especially in high-tech and innovative field.

State Counselor to RT President on external economic issues Marat Safiullin, RT minister of trade and external economic cooperation Hafiz Salikhov, Kazan city mayor Ilsur Metshin, rector of Kazan State University Makzum Salakhov and trade-economic representative of Tatarstan in Switzerland Guzel Salikhova took part in the meeting.