The session of Eurasian Economic Community takes place in Kazan

The IV session of the Council on Financial and Economic Policy of the Eurasian Economic Community has opened at Kazan City Hall on April 6. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev named a greeting speech to the session participants. The head of the republic indicated that Tatarstan is a connecting link between West and East; it preserves and carefully develops traditions of these two great cultures. “It is a great honor for us to receive such outstanding heads and experts of EurAsEC, - he said. - Uniting of countries, large companies, expansion of the World Trade Organization circle participants make an impact on solving many political and economic problems”.

Mintimer Shaimiev also noted that the external turnover of Tatarstan with EurAsEC countries exceeded $1 billion; if observer countries are included, the turnover is more than $3 billion 300 million. The most successful example of cooperation is economic contacts with Kazakhstan in such fields as machine-building, jet- and aircraft-building, petrochemistry, roads economy, and banking. Tatarstan also has a successful experience of mutually beneficial cooperation with Byelorussia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. Tatarstan has not only beneficial geographical location, but also other potential that might develop cooperation with EurAsEC countries, as M. Shaimiev indicated.

Tatarstan leader familiarized the guests with economic indices of the republic. According to his words, growth of GRP made up approximately 7% in 2006, 7.5% is forecasted for 2007. The republican GRP made up $23 billion last year. $6 billion were invested in the fixed capital. The republic established contacts with large banking structures including the EBRD. Mintimer Shaimiev invited the participants of the today’s session to the Annual Meeting of EBRD, which will be held in Kazan in May.

According to RT president’s words, the republic is oriented on Scandinavian model on realization of the innovational policy. 14 techno parks work in the republic at present. Tatarstan head informed about SEZ “Alabuga” and emphasized that China, Korea, Germany and other countries has declared their wish to organize their production on the base of the SEZ. <br><br>
M. Shaimiev noted that international experts point out Tatarstan experience in maintaining inter-confessional and international agreement, which, as the president stated, is the pledge of political stability. The head of the republic wished the session participants successful work and development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

The session participants are: RF Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Greff, Byelorussia Minister of Economy Nikolay Zaychenko, Byelorussia Minister of Finances Nikolay Korbut, Kazakhstan Minister of Finances Nataliya Korzhova, Kazakhstan Vice-Minister of Economy and Budget Planning Berdibek Saparbaev, Kyrgyzstan Minister of Finances Councilor Nurlanbek Tynaev, Tadjikistan Minster of Economic Development and Trade Gulomjon Boboev, Tadjikistan deputy Minister of Finances Shawkat Sokhibov, Uzbekistan Vice-Premier - Minister of Finances Rustam Azimov, Uzbekistan Deputy Minister of Economy Shawkat Tulyaganov, heads and representatives of financial and economic ministries and departments of EurAsEC observer states and Tatarstan.