Marat Gatin, Assistant to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and Deputy Chairman of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World”, met with representatives of leading Arab media. The event was part of a visit to Tatarstan by a delegation of journalists from 19 Arab League countries.
During the meeting, Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, presented the republic's investment climate. She detailed the key advantages and promising areas for investment in the region's economic and cultural projects.
Special attention was paid to the successful results of the pilot implementation of Islamic banking in Tatarstan. Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan Roman Amirkhanov clearly demonstrated how this initiative not only attracts new investors from the Middle East and Southeast Asia but also creates a diversified financial ecosystem in the region.
Gatin spoke about the activities of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia - Islamic World” (GSV), which was established in 2006 on behalf of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin after Russia joined the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Since 2014, the leadership of the group has been entrusted to the Rais of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. "Since then, over the past decade, very active work has been underway to bring Russia closer to the countries of the Islamic world," the deputy chairman of the GSV emphasized.
In his speech, Gatin placed particular emphasis on the Group's systematic work with media in Islamic countries. He noted that building strong partnerships with news agencies, television channels, and editorial offices across the Muslim world is a key strategic priority.
One of the new initiatives presented by Gatin was the creation of a special messenger group for journalists from Islamic media. This tool is intended to take collaboration to a new level, ensuring rapid feedback, transparency, and prompt resolution of issues.
Gatin explained, the project's goal is to create a "media family for ongoing dialogue." Participants were given a QR code to join the group.
"For example, so I could soon write to my colleagues: 'I'll be in Cairo, Manama, or Marrakesh in two days — help me with this.' Or so you could write: 'Marat, I'm coming to see you, come meet me!'" Gatin gave an example.
The Deputy Chairman of the GSV also took part in a discussion with representatives of leading Arab media. Responding to a question from an Algerian journalist about the development of the partnership, Gatin reported on a recent meeting in Moscow with the Algerian Ambassador to Russia, Toufik Djouama: “We were just discussing issues of intensifying relations.”
In addition, Gatin noted the work in the humanitarian sphere with the Algerian representative in the GSV – the Chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council of Algeria, Mr. Mabrouk Zeid Al-Kheir.
As a concrete step, he announced: “Together with the Russian-Algerian Business Council, we are beginning to work on a possible visit by the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan to Algeria.”
When asked by a journalist from Egypt about expanding cooperation, Gatin gave a telling example, citing his experience working in that country. From 2021 to 2025, he headed the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Cairo (part of Rossotrudnichestvo), so, he says, he understands the scale of the Russian-Egyptian partnership well.
The flagship project at issue is the construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. It is a clear demonstration of strategic investment cooperation between the countries. The project, the largest in the history of bilateral relations, began in 2017, and full completion is scheduled for 2030. Key construction stages are expected to be reached as early as next year.
Russia's total investment in this project amounts to $25 billion. This figure, as Gatin noted, eloquently demonstrates the scale of the opportunities and the long-term, mutually beneficial nature of the partnership.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"