Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
President of the Russian Federation
Dear friends!
I would like to welcome the participants and guests of the XVI International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World", which is being warmly hosted by Kazan.
Tatarstan is once again clearly demonstrating its abundant potential and strong commitment to progress in various areas. The region’s achievements in the economy, social sphere, science and culture are truly impressive and serve as tangible proof of the significant contribution that Russian Muslims, and people from all ethnic groups living in the Republic, make to developing the Fatherland, strengthening its sovereignty and influence in the world, and ensuring stability and harmony in our society.
Russia values its traditionally friendly ties with Muslim countries. We highly appreciate their desire to pursue an independent foreign policy and increase their role in international affairs. Together, we stand for the formation of a democratic multipolar world order, based on the rule of law and principles of justice, free from any form of dictatorship and discrimination. Of course, we are also committed to expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, from trade and investment to sports and tourism.
We believe the next meeting of the Russia – Islamic World Strategic Vision Working Group, organised together with representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, is of great importance. It is also important that Russia’s interaction with this authoritative international association on current issues of the regional and global agenda is progressing.
I believe that the work of the Forum will be meaningful and constructive as always and will be held in a spirit of openness and trust. It will serve to further promote the friendship and creative partnership between our countries and peoples.
About "Russia - Islamic world: KazanForum"
"Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum" is the main platform for economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and the countries of the Islamic world.
Forum in figures for 2024Opinions about KazanForum
Muslim countries have shown their strong ties and willingness to cooperate with Russia. The KazanForum International Economic Forum has already established itself as a platform for conducting a bilateral, constructive dialogue aimed at developing economic, trade, socio-cultural ties with Islamic states. I am sure that this year the Forum will be held at a high level and will contribute to the emergence of new joint projects.
International economic forum of Russia and OIC countries aims to demonstrate that Russia is open and ready to have dialogue within the development of cooperation in the spheres of trade, foreign direct investment and discussion of Islamic financial system functioning issues.
On behalf of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and on my own behalf, I welcome the participants and guests of the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”.
Over the years, the Forum has become an authoritative and sought-after platform for deepening the dialogue between Russia and countries of the Muslim world. Both bilateral interstate relations and cooperation through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are actively evolving.
Russia places special emphasis on further expansion and strengthening of the relations with Muslim states. Our country is a vivid example of fruitful centuries-long cooperation and mutual understanding between the representatives of different nationalities, religions and cultures. Islam professing people have made a significant contribution to the development of Russia over the centuries.
We are united by common approaches to the formation of a more just multipolar world order, the desire to be guided by the generally recognized principles and norms of international law set forward in the Charter of the United Nations, the rejection of attempts to impose on the international community a unipolar, essentially neocolonial world order, based on the unilateral dictate of Washington and a narrow circle of its satellites.
Russia stands for strengthening the role of the States of the Islamic world in regional and world affairs. In this regard, we welcome the invitation of the largest Muslim states to BRICS and look forward to their active participation in the events within the framework of the Russian chairmanship in this association in 2024.
I am confident that the International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” will give a new impetus to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the subjects of the Russian Federation and the regions of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, including in such important areas as economy and tourism, science and technology, finance and investment.
I wish you success and prosperity, and the speedy implementation of the agreements reached at the Forum for the benefit of our countries’ people.
Russia has always pursued the goal of building a mutually beneficial, honest partnership with the Islamic world based on respect and protection of traditional values, peculiarities of national culture and identity. It was this approach that made it possible to form trusting, open relations and maintain an effective dialogue for joint implementation of global, strategic projects, consistent increase in mutual investments and trade turnover.
Welcome letter
The international economic event KazanForum has become a traditional meeting venue for the business elites of Russia and Islamic states interested in maximizing the opportunities of business partnership. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia considers these efforts an extremely important element in the implementation of foreign policy and will continue to provide it with all necessary and effective support.
The economy is going through a period of deep structural transformation. This requires significant financial resources. We are actively developing new instruments that can be used, among other things, to finance projects for technological modernization of the economy.
An additional investment vector could be the development of partnership financial instruments in Russia.
Starting September 1, 2023, we have launched a two-year experiment on the use of such instruments in four regions: the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Republic of Dagestan, the Republic of Tatarstan and the Chechen Republic. The experiment will help determine the scale of demand for such services among market participants and increase their availability for Russian citizens and small and medium-sized businesses.
In addition, partner financial instruments may create conditions for attracting foreign investment and expanding the geography of foreign trade.
KazanForum has always showcased the innovative and contemporary ideas in the area of Islamic Finance and Banking services, harmonization of Halal Food standards and certificates along with the youth and women empowerment in the social sector. It is my sincere hope that these new engagements with the Republic of Tatarstan and the entire Russian Federation will create a new vista in our very fruitful relations for the benefit of our peoples.
I am confident that the Forum will contribute to the development of humanitarian, economic and cultural relations between our Muslim brothers in Russia and the Islamic world.
In addition, it is especially important that the holding of the KazanForum in 2022 coincided with the celebration of
1100th anniversary of the adoption of Islam.
I would like to say that we consider our Muslim brothers in Russia and the Republic of Tatarstan as a dominant component in strengthening the development of our relations with the Russian Federation.
In whatever part of the world we live, our hearts, beliefs, qibla, azan and holy books are one.
As the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) commanded, we should all unite like bricks building a wall, further strengthening solidarity and our spiritual bridges.
Realizing this, we must never allow the distance between us to overshadow our brotherhood, which has existed since time immemorial.
I believe that in the context of regional and global problems, it is very valuable to discuss the topics of Islamic finance, general banking, the halal industry, export development, entrepreneurship and investment issues within the framework of the Forum.
It is no coincidence that it is Russia, as a vivid and unique example of a multinational and multi-confessional state, that initiates and seeks various points of contact and interaction between the Islamic world and Western civilization. One of the significant permanent events in this direction is the Kazan Economic Forum, which has been taking place in the hospitable capital of Tatarstan since 2009.
On behalf of the Malaysia officials who attended the KazanForum, I would like to express my highest appreciation to the organizer for giving the Malaysian delegates to participate in the program.
As a panel speaker, I experienced various opportunities to further cooperate and collaborate with various international groups that could benefit the future economic enhancement among participating countries.
The forum also could be considered as a main platform to become a consultative tool that exposed the advantage of the Halal Industry that would penetrate the importance of the Russian economy and the global needs.
In addition, participants should also take advantage to explore the beauty of the culture by taking chances to have an excursion activity to learn about Russia and her surroundings.
In sum, the KazanForum is an opening gate to see lots of opportunities related to social economic collaborations.
Tatarstan shows high investment opportunities due to political stability and respect for the equal rights of all ethnic groups.
Thanks to the KazanForum, new relations develop between businessmen of Tatarstan and our countries.
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