The economic wing of the Strategic Vision Group “Russia – Islamic World” continues a series of online interviews with the OIC Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia with the cooperation of the Investment Development Agency as part of the year-round business program of the International Economic Summit “Russia – Islamic World: KazanSummit”. This time Chief Executive of the Investment Development Agency Talia Minullina has discussed with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Russia Ihab Ahmed Talaat Nasr the issues of support of small and medium enterprises in Egypt, as well as the emergence of new industries in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Republic of Egypt has been a reliable partner of Russia and Tatarstan for many years. By virtue of government visits and work of business missions, business and cultural relations between countries and regions are actively developing, and the work to increase exports of Tatarstan products to the Egyptian market is being carried out. In addition to it, the countries are discussing the prospects for increasing investment flows. Egyptian government officials and representatives of financial institutions and business circles traditionally take part in the “Russia – Islamic World: KazanSummit” Forum.
According to the high-ranking diplomat, the Republic of Tatarstan plays an important role in the development of relations between Russia and Egypt.
“Egypt is now implementing a nationwide economic program through a number of mega-projects that offer significant investment opportunities for Tatarstan companies. We seek to cooperate with the region, including in the field of Energy, Oil Refinery, Petrochemical Industry, IT and Engineering, especially taking into account the fact that the republic is one of the richest Russian regions in terms of natural resources”, the Ambassador noted.
For her part, Talia Minullina emphasized the importance of developing business relations between countries and regions: “On the one hand, we should thank the post-coronavirus environment for the opportunity for closer cooperation and development of digitalization of business and communications. Today Tatarstan is actively involved in the consolidation of interstate and interregional cooperation between our countries. The International Economic Summit “Russia – Islamic World:KazanSummit” is the biggest event for developing active cooperation”.
The Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency spoke in more detail about the upcoming joint session in the framework of the “Russia – Islamic World” Summit, dedicated to Egypt and development of agricultural relations between the countries. She also spoke about the investment attractiveness of Tatarstan, emphasizing that Tatarstan’s investors were socially responsible and continued to help the residents of Tatarstan during such a difficult time for everybody.
Within the interview, the parties also discussed economic development of the countries against the background of COVID-19 coronavirus infection, the measures taken to support enterprises in the current conditions, the most demanded specialties and digitalization of economic spheres. Thus, according to Mr. Ihab Nasr, in the conditions of the pandemic IT sphere got a new development impetus, while such industries as service, delivery began to improve, restructuring of communications took place (updates amounted to about 35%).
“In recent months, we have seen the entertainment sector grow. Despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, increased interest in online platforms and communication formats has been beneficial in promoting our rich and diverse traditional culture, including through the broadcast of art and historical paintings.
Representatives of small and medium enterprises, including the tourism sector, as well as poor and large families, have received separate support from the government”, the Ambassador noted.
“I have a very warm attitude towards our relations with Tatarstan. And today’s joint online interview is a unique opportunity to highlight my deepest respect for the role that Tatarstan has always played in our life – the role of a professional and, of course, a friend. The Republic of Tatarstan remains the most attractive region for Egypt. We consider Tatarstan to be a powerful investment partner that holds the same views”, Ihab Nasr summed up his speech, emphasizing that nowadays it is crucial to pay special attention to maximization of cooperation and search for new areas of interaction.
Ilmira Gafiyatullina
Photo: Federation Council