NEWS

A new position will appear in Tatarstan - the Republic of Tatarstan State Counselor. In accordance with Article 76 of the Tatarstan Constitution, the Parliamentary Committee for state construction and local government and the Committee for legality and law enforcement jointly introduce the bill “On the State Counselor of the Republic of Tatarstan” for consideration of the State Council as a legislative initiative.

The Republic of Tatarstan Public Chamber is a serious public institution and its views are important to the authorities. Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov told it a meeting with the new Public Chamber.

In 2009, Tatarstan’s foreign trade was $13.5 billion; based on a preliminary estimate, the figure is in 2010 to grow 8 percent.

The Tatarstan Industry and Trade Minister Ravil Zaripov told it a staff meeting at the ministry. “The interest in our republic from the international business community has been stable, first of all due to the positive assessment of Tatarstan’s investment attractiveness by reputable international organisations,” said Zaripov.

The minister went on to say that the Tatarstan Industry and Trade Ministry had the year before made about 60 visits, resulting in the signing of intergovernmental agreements, memorandums and protocols.

A branch of Colorado State University could be set up in Tatarstan. The local Economy Minister Marat Safiullin and the university's College of Business dean John Hoxmeier have discussed the possible launch of the world-level business school's representation and prospects for strategic partnership in the field of education progammes.

The meeting discussed some technical aspects of cooperation: a selection procedure for candidates, assessment of quality and usability of acquired knowledge, choice of premises for the staff, classrooms and their equipment, managerial and academic curatorship of the programme, and others. At the proposal of Minister Safiullin, Colorado State University is, to select the key academic partner, hold a presentation of the university’s MBA programme, to showcase its specifics, benefits and competitive advantages.

The Tatarstan Forestry Ministry has held a visiting session in the Urnyak village in the Arsk municipal district. Attendees were the Tatarstan Forestry Minister Valery Vlasov, State Advisor to President of Tatarstan on oil, gas and ecology Irina Larochkina, and representatives from forestries and related educational establishments. The issue on the agenda was improvement of the personnel policy in the Tatarstan forestry sector. The issue is urgent for the industry, as a lack of trained personnel has been seen. This is due to low salaries and employment terms, which does not attract younger people.

The 4th international festival of guitar music “Classic Guitar in the 21st century” will be held in Kazan on March 17-22. French composer and guitarist, music teacher Ronald Diens will perform at the opening ceremony of the festival at Saidashev State Grand Concert Hall, the organizing committee told Tatar-inform. Ronald Diens’ teacher was Spanish master Alberto Ponse. Ronald Diens is winner of highest awards of several prestigious guitar contests.

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has completed the acceptance of applications for banks’ participation in a consumer loan subsidy programme in 2010. The ministry approved 104 lenders that will in 2010 participate in the low-interest auto loan programme.

Consumer loans will be subsidised within a scheme that proved effective in 2009. The terms for participating in the low-interest auto loan programme remain the same: a minimum prepayment of 15 percent of the cost of the car; ceiling cost of the auto 600 thousand roubles; low-interest loans are issued to not only buy cars but lightweight commercial vehicles; the payback period is at most 36 months.

March 4, Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev was on a visit to the island city of Sviyazhsk, the Zelenodolsk Municipal District, Tatarstan.

The total number of broadband internet end-users in Tatarstan is 601.2 thousand. Of them, 493.4 thousand subscribers use the xDsl and Ethernet technologies, while 107.8 thousand the 3G, Wi-Fi and WiMax technologies. The number of active users of the GPRS/EDGE and 3G technologies has totalled 928.2 thousand.

The Moscow Interbank Currency Exchange and Republic of Tatarstan have today signed a cooperation agreement in Moscow.

The signees were Prime Minister of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and MICEX President Konstantin Korischenko. The document is to help develop an innovative infrastructure in Tatarstan, attract investments to implement projects on manufacturing high-technology products, and develop small and medium business and public private partnership in the innovative sector of the economy.