At a press conference with the speakers of the meeting, held during the XIII International Economic Summit "Russia - Islamic world: KazanSummit 2022", journalists from Russian and foreign media asked a number of questions regarding further development of trade and economic relations between Russia and Islamic countries in the light of international sanctions.
When asked by journalists about Russia's cooperation with Afghanistan, Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, said:
- Trade and economic relations with Afghanistan are maintained as before. What are the prospects? As the situation in the region improves, we can talk about prospects. However, Russia's interest in Afghanistan has existed and persists. Time will show.
During the press conference he talked about organizing a halal hub in the Republic of Tatarstan. When asked about the possibility of creating such a complex infrastructure President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation Sergey Katyrin said:
- I do not think that this is a one-time decision that can be implemented as early as tomorrow. This process must occur incrementally.
Katyrin also mentioned Islamic banking as an important component of halal industry.
General Director, Chairman of the Board of JSC "Rosgeologiya" Sergey Gorkov, in his turn, said:
- I support the idea of hub. We need to adjust to markets. Large Russian companies already know these standards. For example, in the UAE they started to consume our products and this is an indicator. A hub in Kazan should be done, why not?
Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ramazan Abdulatipov told the audience that halal is not only food and cosmetics:
- We need to think not only about halal-consumption. Halal is good deeds, good relationships.
Ramazan Abdulatipov also proposed to start cooperation with Jews, because kosher products are halal according to Shariah.
In response to a question about the difficulties faced by exporters from Russia Sergey Katyrin noted that there are 20 business councils in Russia, which work in the eastern direction.
- I can not say that today all the issues are resolved. But we have someone to rely on in the search for new logistics schemes. But the crisis has become an opportunity for some people to realize their potential.
Sergey Gorkov added:
- "Patience, patience, patience" - words from the Quran. It is impossible to isolate Russia, and a friend is tested in hard times. judging by the fact that today we have representatives of many countries, we have more friends than foes.
At the press-conference President of Small and Medium Business Development Organization of Turkish Republic KOSGEB Hasan Basri Kurt told about experience of cooperation between Russia and Turkey:
- There is active cooperation between Russia and Turkey today - $30 billion in trade turnover, mainly in the energy and commodity markets. The pandemic has complicated the logistics chain and we are thinking about strengthening our cooperation. Simplification of the logistics chain and visa regime has a significant impact on this, and in the future we plan to deepen close cooperation in small and medium business.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan