Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that both Russian and international partners are showing heightened interest in KazanForum, a key platform for dialogue and cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world. He made the remarks at a meeting of the Organizing Committee for the Russia–Islamic World: KazanForum 2026 International Economic Forum, held in Moscow.
Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and Chairman of the Forum’s Organizing Committee Marat Khusnullin noted that the committee’s first meeting in September summarized the results of the previous forum and set objectives for the upcoming one.
“Overall, preparations are progressing. Proposals have been submitted for the exhibition program and business agenda, and invitations to session participants and speakers have been sent,” Khusnullin said. “It is vital to finalize the remaining items of the protocol as soon as possible to ensure high‑level organization of next year’s events.”
Minnikhanov emphasized that Tatarstan maintains active and productive ties with the Islamic world. Half of the republic’s foreign trade volume is conducted with member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), exceeding US $5.1 billion in the first nine months of 2025.
He thanked partners, ministries and federal agencies for contributing proposals for KazanForum’s business agenda. These include initiatives to attract industrial enterprises and Russian regions to the international exhibition, projects to promote and develop the halal industry as a key component of economic cooperation, and investment proposals for presentation to the global community. To date, more than 100 projects have been submitted by federal bodies and Russian regions.
Promotional efforts for KazanForum and participating investment projects are underway through business missions, working visits, and participation in international forums and exhibitions. In November, a business forum was held in Oman with the participation of Marat Khusnullin. Delegations from Tatarstan have also visited Turkey, Malaysia, Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, CIS countries, and others — efforts that have helped expand the network of international partners invited to the upcoming forum.
High‑level visits to Kazan this year have further highlighted Tatarstan’s leading role in cooperation with the Islamic world. Among the dignitaries received were His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia; Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim; National Leader of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov; Secretary‑General of the OIC Hissein Brahim Taha; ICESCO Director‑General Salim al‑Malik, and numerous ministers, deputy prime ministers, and ambassadors from Islamic countries.
Minnikhanov also noted that on December 26, Kazan will host the opening of the regional office of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) — a major step toward institutionalizing cooperation in Islamic finance.
He stressed that international engagement remains a strategic priority for Russia, which continues to welcome foreign investment and participate in cross‑border projects. To further promote Russian investment initiatives, Minnikhanov proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Economic Development assist in inviting investment and venture funds from OIC countries to participate in KazanForum 2026. He also suggested holding roadshows in February–March 2026 across OIC countries to showcase Russian projects, seek partners and attract funding.
Turning to agriculture, Minnikhanov noted the strong growth of the Russian agribusiness sector, with Tatarstan ranking fifth nationally and first in the Volga Federal District for agricultural output in 2024.
He urged the Ministry of Agriculture to explore ways to promote high‑quality Russian agricultural products with strong export potential to OIC markets. “A jointly developed roadmap to expand agro‑exports to Islamic countries could be an effective outcome of this work,” he said.
Minnikhanov also highlighted the rapid growth of Russia’s artificial intelligence sector and the expansion of export‑oriented IT companies entering global markets. He encouraged the Ministry of Digital Development to assist Russian IT exporters in finding potential partners in the Islamic world and to support the promotion of the domestic messenger app Max in these markets through local partnerships, marketing campaigns, and product adaptation to cultural and regional needs.
In 2026, KazanForum will coincide with Kazan’s designation as the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2026, reinforcing the city’s status as a hub of Islamic culture and intercultural dialogue. On December 15, the Russian Foreign Ministry hosted the official presentation of the “Kazan – Cultural Capital of the Islamic World” year. The opening ceremony will take place during KazanForum, alongside a meeting of the OIC Ministers of Culture.
Preparations for the business program are now underway. Invitations have been sent to 24 countries for the upcoming Congress of National Banks of OIC Member States. Extensive outreach to foreign participants continues, with around 1,000 invitations planned to be issued on behalf of Tatarstan’s head. Minnikhanov also called on federal ministries to ensure timely invitations to international guests and dignitaries.
“I am confident that through our joint efforts, the upcoming KazanForum will be organized at a truly high and worthy level,” Minnikhanov said.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Tatarstan and Chief of Staff of the Cabinet of Ministers Shamil Gafarov, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina, and other officials.
The XVII International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2026” will take place from May 12 to 17, 2026.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the Rais RT
Based on materials from the Press Service of the Rais RT