Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the 12th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russia–UAE Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation during his working visit to the UAE.
The session was co-chaired by Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov and the UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri.
Minnikhanov spoke about Tatarstan’s experience in building cooperation with the UAE. The two sides have already established exchanges in areas such as Islamic banking, the halal industry, and Islamic education. At the same time, trade dynamics over the past year show that further efforts are needed: trade turnover in 2024 amounted to $193 million.
“I hope today’s meeting will help generate proposals to intensify trade. I would like to draw attention to one important area — attracting Emirati investment into our republic’s economic projects,” Minnikhanov said.
He highlighted the infrastructure Tatarstan has developed and outlined available tax, customs and commercial incentives.
Minnikhanov also identified agriculture and the use of innovative biotechnologies in food production as promising areas for cooperation. Tatarstan delegations regularly take part in Dubai’s Gulfood exhibition, where export-oriented companies present their products and sign export contracts.
Another priority area, he said, is innovative technologies and digitalization — for example, creating a platform to promote digital solutions developed in Tatarstan. A successful precedent already exists in Qatar, where the sides agreed to open a dedicated IT project center.
Minnikhanov emphasized that a shared religion — Islam — is an important factor in expanding cooperation. “Tatarstan is one of the most active regions in developing ties with the Islamic world. On President Vladimir Putin’s instruction, I head the Group of Strategic Vision ‘Russia–Islamic World.’ The annual KazanForum has become a federal platform for strengthening economic and cultural connections,” he noted.
He added that partners from the UAE are regular participants in the forum and invited all members of the intergovernmental commission to attend the next forum in May 2026 — and to hold the commission’s next session in Kazan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the Rais RT
Based on materials from the Press Service of the Rais RT