Kazan Forum’s events Conclusion in Russia

INA-  Baghdad

More than 20 thousand participants from 87 countries and 87 regions, including 40 diplomatic missions from Europe, Asia and Africa, took part in the 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic world "Kazan forum". About 180 events were held on the sidelines of the forum, which resulted in the signing of 120 agreements.

The participating experts discussed new opportunities and advantages in the financial and logistics sector, which are offered by cooperation between Russia and the OIC countries. "90% of trade with the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union is conducted in national currencies.

This is a real process taking place today. The Russian economy grew by 3.6%. But most importantly, the economy of countries that maintain close relations with Russia has also grown. Kazakhstan - 5.1%, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan-more than 6%. Tajikistan - 8.3%. This is the best evidence of our development", reported the deputy head of the Russian government Alexey Overchuk.

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin “The trade exchange between Russia and the OIC countries has increased by 31%”, he also noted “the special importance of the creation of the international "north - south" Road (including railways, waterways and land routes through the Caspian Sea region). It has started transporting goods through some of its branches”.

"We have a number of agreements with Iran on road and rail transport. We are looking for additional logistics opportunities with the Gulf countries. We received a serious delegation consisting of people responsible for making decisions. It is certain that we will create alternative routes to the Suez Canal", said the deputy prime minister of Russia.

According to experts ' forecasts, the new road can reduce the transportation time three fold. For example, the transfer time between the seaports of Mumbai (India) and Murmansk (Russia). Transportation of goods by road on this route takes 45 days, while they will be delivered by rail through Kazakhstan within 15 days", according to Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Jumangarin.

"Obviously, the difference in timing saves money. The development of the eastern branch (construction and modernization of Railways and stations) of the "north - south" road has become a priority for the region, and in the future this section of the railway can be turned into a large logistics center. The annual transport capacity of the road is 10 million tons of goods (of which 2 million tons passed last year).

With the development of logistics and investments in mutual projects, the volume of trade between Russia and the UAE is growing, and it can exceed 9 billion dollars", noted UAE Deputy Minister of economy Abdullah Al Saleh.

According to Al Saleh "Russian companies are investing in projects in the logistics sector, seaports, tourism, services, high-tech, industry, and even in the production of medicines and renewable energy sources ”,he affirmed "The UAE and Russia are paying great attention to investments in these areas . It's a mutual process".

"The director of the UAE ports has noted the increase in trade exchange, especially at the port of Dubai, where many export and import centers are located”. Undoubtedly, the UAE has great possibilities to connect these ports with the Russian Federation, Russian centers, industrial zones that have been developing a lot lately", said Abdullah Al Saleh.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri also believes that the development of logistics projects will contribute not only to economic growth, but also to the unification of many countries and the preservation of stability and peace in the region. “Roads are not only ways of transporting goods, but they determine the directions of development", stressed Ali Bagheri.  

"The position of the Russian leadership has played a huge role in the development of relations with Muslim countries, for example, the proposal of the Russian president in 2003 on Russia's inclusion in the organization of Islamic Cooperation as an observer. Then the Kazan forum became an annual event”, stated the President of the Republic of Tatarstan and the head of the Strategic Vision Group Rustam Minnikhanov "Russia-the Islamic world".