The first session of the XVI annual meeting of the EBRD has been held in Kazan

The first session of the XVI annual meeting of the EBRD has been held in Kazan on May 20. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev, the EBRD President Jean Lemierre, RF Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref, Plenipotentiary Representative of RF President in Privolzhye Federal District Alexander Konovalov and other officials has taken part in it.

RF Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref read out the welcome address of Russia President Vladimir Putin to the participants of the annual EBRD meeting.

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev has made a speech on the first session of the EBRD annual meeting. “It is great honour for us to present the republic to the world finance elite, - Tatarstan head emphasized. – Meeting with representatives of the most influential international institutions and companies is a fascinating opportunity to get familiarized with and, what is more important, learn advanced technologies, experience of financial management and present our proposals in the field of economic and investment cooperation”.

“We accept the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, first of all, as a careful teacher and tutor-guide in our social-economic reforms, - Mintimer Shaimiev continued. – The development strategy of our republic is very close to the EBRD value guiding lines. We firmly follow the way of constructing progressive, democratic society with high life level on the basis of dynamic, diversified, competitive market economy, which is integrated into the world system”.

Tatarstan President also cited some statistics data connected with the structure of republican economy. He pointed out that about 7% of Russian oil is produced in RT; 18% of all trucks, 39% of polyethylene, 30% of car tyres, almost all kinds of kauchuk are manufactured in the republic. The republic produces more than 31 million tons of oil every year; there are supplies for 30 more years. According to M. Shaimiev’s words, annual tempos of GDP growth for the last 5 years make up approximately 7%; this year this figure was about 10%. GRP makes up $23 billion.

“We understand that favourable current situation in the market of raw materials won’t exist forever, - RT President indicated. - We plan to double our gross product by 2009 without increasing oil production”.

Tatarstan head also informed the session participants that particular attention is given to improving legislation and organization measures, which are directed to creation of favorable conditions for all economy units, stimulating of investment and innovation activities, and reduction of corruption level. M. Shaimiev emphasized that RT Investment-Venture Fund, RT Deposit-Insurance Fund, Fund of assistance to development of venture investments in small enterprises started their work in RT.

Tatarstan leader also informed about active development of innovation infrastructure in our republic. There are 14 technoparks in Tatarstan; large Centre of High Technologies in the field of oil-refining and petrochemistry “Himgrad” will open. The republic won the federal contest for creating SEZ of industrial-manufacturing type “Alabuga”.

“Tatarstan, which is situated on the crossing of European and Asian parts of the continent, appeared as an important connecting link between East and West; it preserves and develops traditions of two great world cultures, - Mintimer Shaimiev noted. The model of inter-confessional agreement and inter-ethnic stability has demonstrated its efficiency”.

“Taking into account the geographical position, developed transport infrastructure and political stability, - Tatarstan President continued, - we would like to suggest to the EBRD to consider our republic as a strategic outpost on the way of developing and promoting its programs to Asia”.