Plenary session of the 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024": "Financial and logistic infrastructure of Russia and OIC countries,"
Plenary session of the 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024": "Financial and logistic infrastructure of Russia and OIC countries,"
Venue: Russia’s Kazan, Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. GMT)
The International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024" is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary since its launch at the initiative of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, which was established in 2009 by Yevgeny Primakov and Mintimer Shaimiyev to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin sent their greetings to the participants and guests of the Forum.
This year's Forum was attended by a record number of participants. The event gathered more than 20,000 participants from 87 countries and 87 regions of Russia. About 180 events were held within the framework of the Forum, which resulted in the signing of 120 agreements.
In total, more than 40 diplomatic missions from Europe, Asia and Africa were represented at the Forum, which proves the failure of attempts to isolate Russia. This is also evidenced by the fact that trade relations between Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are growing year by year. In order for these relations to acquire a new quality, it is necessary to constantly develop two bases: finance and logistics. These issues became the central theme of the plenary session of the 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024."
Director of the Center for Arab-Eurasian Studies (CAES) Amro Abdel Hamid moderated the plenary session, which was attended by Marat Khusnullin, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of the 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: Kazanforum," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, Deputy Head of the Russian presidential administration Magomedsalam Magomedov, Tatarstan Rais (President) and Chairman of Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan State Counsellor, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Russia’s Hero of Labor Mintimer Shaymiev, First Deputy Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, Omani Economy Minister H.E. Dr. Said Mohammed Al-Saqri, UAE Deputy Economy Minister Abdullah Al Saleh and Irani Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who is also Chairman of the Organizing Committee to prepare and hold the International Economic Forum ‘Russia – the Islamic World: KazanForum’ pointed out that recently Russia had become closer to Eastern countries, as tourist traffic had risen, trade with the OIC nations had grown by 31%, and transport infrastructure between the countries was being developed.
Khusnullin said, speaking about the prospects of the North-South Transport Corridor, “We are developing the project in three areas, namely the Western Caspian Sea bypass, which includes the construction of a railroad, and the upgrading of all motor roads in the Russian Federation. The Eastern bypass is the Europe - Western China road and [we are] bringing it in line with requirements alongside counterparts from Kazakhstan to reach China and Uzbekistan, and subsequently Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the way across the sea - the Volga and the Kama – the passageway across the Caspian Sea to all the nearby ports. <…> We are doing active work to find additional logistics opportunities from the Persian Gulf.”
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin went on with the theme of transport corridor, saying that Kazakhstan put forward a proposal to turn its section into a major logistics hub. In addition, he spoke about the International Financial Center and its advantages for companies, including logistics ones, “About 2,600 firms from 78 countries have been registered, last year alone we registered 670 companies. What attracts companies? First and foremost, international standards, Kazakhstain legislation is not in effect on the premises of the International Financial Center <…> Partner-like Islamic funding is developing actively. The venue has created conditions for the opening of Islamic financial companies and for listing Islamic securities.”
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk pointed out that nowadays the center of the world’s economic growth has shifted from the West to the East and towards the Global South. Russia has a unique geographical location in northern Eurasia, and this advantage makes it possible to resolve the tasks in a most effective way, regardless of sanctions. “About 95% of our trade with China in 2023 was already in national currencies and 90% with EAEU member states. <…> Our economy has grown by 3.5%, but I would like to point out that the economies of those countries who maintain close relations with Russia have grown too: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. This proves best that we are developing,” he said.
Kyrgyzstan’s First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev said that Kyrgyzstan and Russia are allies and have a strategic partnership. According to him, this determines close trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. To date, Russia is the second-largest trade partner for Kyrgyzstan, along with China and Kazakhstan.
“If we take the last four years, from 2019 to 2023, Kyrgyzstan’s bilateral trade with Russia has almost doubled, including exports - by 2.7 times and imports - by 55.5%. In 2023, our trade reached significant figures, amounting to $2.9 billion. We along with our Russian counterparts are determined to increase its amount to $5 billion, as we see the potential,” he said, citing statistics.
Kasymaliev said that currently, Kyrgyzstan has about 800 enterprises with Russian participation. The work is in full swing at the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation as well as the Kyrgyz-Russian interregional conference. “The cooperation of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom in the field of implementation of energy projects is being enhanced,” Adylbek Kasymaliev said.
Rais (Head) of Russia’s Tatarstan region Rustam Minnikhanov, who is Chairman of the Russia-Islamic World strategic vision group, said, “Following the orders of President Vladimir Putin, strategic groups are doing work under my guidance, but we must remember from where and how this cooperation originated. The process was initiated in 2003 by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation during his working visit to Malaysia. Addressing the participants of the 10th OIC summit in Putrajaya, the head of state said that Russia needs to participate in its activity as it is ‘intertwined with the Islamic world’. In 2005, such a decision was taken, and next year this decision will mark its 20th anniversary. <...>“Two years ago, our President Vladimir Putin resolved that this forum is a federal rather than regional event. I say a great thanks to the head of state. Marat Khusnullin was selected as the chairman of the organizing committee. Together, we hold these events at quite a different level. The work of our strategy group meeting fits in very well. When we discuss issues of concern to the Islamic world, we move to a platform where we discuss a broader integration of our relationships. Islamic banking, halal lifestyle, expanded tourism- all this runs under the auspices and with the support from the leadership of our country, our President, and Government,” he emphasized.
The Rais (President) of the Republic of Tatarstan highlighted the long-term good relations being maintained between Russia and the OIC countries. “The Islamic world has always supported Russia, and we appreciate that,” he said.
Minister of Economy of the Sultanate of Oman Saeed Mohammed Ahmed Al Sakri voiced the idea that relations between the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and Russia has progressed to a brand-new level. The Cooperation Council, he said, has always paid much attention to economic cooperation and efforts to increase trade with various countries, including Russia, and investment by signing free trade zone agreements. “Over the past 40 years, Council member countries have invested money in infrastructure, ports, including sea ports, and the logistics sector. The Sultanate of Oman, for one, has invested in projects to build a number of ports with access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. These ports became the symbol of open economic and trade zones, given their very beneficial geographic location. <…> We believe that the agreements on establishing transport corridors, including the North-South corridor, are a very important project that can help expand the framework of cooperation and investment,” Saeed Mohammed Ahmed Al Sakri stated.
“The relations being maintained between the United Arab Emirates and Russia are versatile, and they are reflected in billions of dollars worth of trade that is growing, and the figure will grow and rise from $9 billion to exceed this amount manifold. Mutual investments on the part of Russian investors are also growing. The flow of tourists between the two countries is also growing. Russia received 1 million tourists from the UAE last year, and the UAE received 1.5 million tourists from Russia,” Under Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy Abdulla Al Saleh said.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri told the session that transport corridors are not solely routes for transporting cargoes, as they determine spheres of development. “The region across which the corridor runs is not the only participant, as other countries are also involved in the operation of this corridor, which, in turn, supports peace in the region. There is a reality that the world without support from cooperation and economic ties cannot be sustainable,” Ali Bagheri said. “The threat being posed to the regions, especially Russia, by the United States as well as the use of sanctions instruments against our countries hangs over us. Thanks to the wisdom of our leaders, this sanctions threat has been transformed into an opportunity for the countries to cooperate. Iran, as a country that occupies an exceptional geopolitical position in the region, can serve as an axis for rapprochement and the strengthening of communication between all countries," he concluded.
In closing remarks, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Magomedsalam Magomedov assured all participants in the Forum that Russia is open to cooperation, dialogue with friends and all those who builds dialogue on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit and the respect of national interests. According to the speaker, Islamic countries have showed a balanced approach as they build mostly friendly relations with Russia, which is reciprocated by Russia. “The Russian Federation is a multinational and multi-religious country, and Muslims are very significant and respected members of our country. It is vital that there be peace and harmony between representatives of all faiths. Russia is a unique state, in the words of our national leader, Russian President Vladimir Putin, it is a separate civilization with its own cultural code. Initially, our country was formed as a union of peoples of different faiths. Over the past thousand of years, we have learned to live a friendly life and respect each other. Unlike Western colonial powers, Russia has never resorted to extermination, economic exploitation or cultural genocide. Our history has seen various periods, but difficulties have always come alongside development,” Magomedsalam Magomedov concluded.
At the plenary meeting, participants discussed plans plans and prospects for the development of mutually beneficial relations between Russia and the OIC countries for the benefit of the world population as part of efforts to harmonize international processes and achieve a balance of sustainable global growth.
The 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024" is being held on May 14-19 in Kazan. This year's keynote is "Trust and Cooperation." The main goal of the forum is to strengthen trade and economic, scientific and technical, social and cultural ties between Russian regions and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as to promote the development of the Islamic financial system institutions in Russia.
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. local time (12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. GMT)
The International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024" is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary since its launch at the initiative of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, which was established in 2009 by Yevgeny Primakov and Mintimer Shaimiyev to strengthen friendship and cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko and Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin sent their greetings to the participants and guests of the Forum.
This year's Forum was attended by a record number of participants. The event gathered more than 20,000 participants from 87 countries and 87 regions of Russia. About 180 events were held within the framework of the Forum, which resulted in the signing of 120 agreements.
In total, more than 40 diplomatic missions from Europe, Asia and Africa were represented at the Forum, which proves the failure of attempts to isolate Russia. This is also evidenced by the fact that trade relations between Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are growing year by year. In order for these relations to acquire a new quality, it is necessary to constantly develop two bases: finance and logistics. These issues became the central theme of the plenary session of the 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024."
Director of the Center for Arab-Eurasian Studies (CAES) Amro Abdel Hamid moderated the plenary session, which was attended by Marat Khusnullin, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the preparation and holding of the 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: Kazanforum," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, Deputy Head of the Russian presidential administration Magomedsalam Magomedov, Tatarstan Rais (President) and Chairman of Group of Strategic Vision "Russia - Islamic world" Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan State Counsellor, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Russia’s Hero of Labor Mintimer Shaymiev, First Deputy Chairman of Kyrgyzstan’s Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin, Omani Economy Minister H.E. Dr. Said Mohammed Al-Saqri, UAE Deputy Economy Minister Abdullah Al Saleh and Irani Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who is also Chairman of the Organizing Committee to prepare and hold the International Economic Forum ‘Russia – the Islamic World: KazanForum’ pointed out that recently Russia had become closer to Eastern countries, as tourist traffic had risen, trade with the OIC nations had grown by 31%, and transport infrastructure between the countries was being developed.
Khusnullin said, speaking about the prospects of the North-South Transport Corridor, “We are developing the project in three areas, namely the Western Caspian Sea bypass, which includes the construction of a railroad, and the upgrading of all motor roads in the Russian Federation. The Eastern bypass is the Europe - Western China road and [we are] bringing it in line with requirements alongside counterparts from Kazakhstan to reach China and Uzbekistan, and subsequently Afghanistan and Pakistan. And the way across the sea - the Volga and the Kama – the passageway across the Caspian Sea to all the nearby ports. <…> We are doing active work to find additional logistics opportunities from the Persian Gulf.”
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin went on with the theme of transport corridor, saying that Kazakhstan put forward a proposal to turn its section into a major logistics hub. In addition, he spoke about the International Financial Center and its advantages for companies, including logistics ones, “About 2,600 firms from 78 countries have been registered, last year alone we registered 670 companies. What attracts companies? First and foremost, international standards, Kazakhstain legislation is not in effect on the premises of the International Financial Center <…> Partner-like Islamic funding is developing actively. The venue has created conditions for the opening of Islamic financial companies and for listing Islamic securities.”
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk pointed out that nowadays the center of the world’s economic growth has shifted from the West to the East and towards the Global South. Russia has a unique geographical location in northern Eurasia, and this advantage makes it possible to resolve the tasks in a most effective way, regardless of sanctions. “About 95% of our trade with China in 2023 was already in national currencies and 90% with EAEU member states. <…> Our economy has grown by 3.5%, but I would like to point out that the economies of those countries who maintain close relations with Russia have grown too: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. This proves best that we are developing,” he said.
Kyrgyzstan’s First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev said that Kyrgyzstan and Russia are allies and have a strategic partnership. According to him, this determines close trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. To date, Russia is the second-largest trade partner for Kyrgyzstan, along with China and Kazakhstan.
“If we take the last four years, from 2019 to 2023, Kyrgyzstan’s bilateral trade with Russia has almost doubled, including exports - by 2.7 times and imports - by 55.5%. In 2023, our trade reached significant figures, amounting to $2.9 billion. We along with our Russian counterparts are determined to increase its amount to $5 billion, as we see the potential,” he said, citing statistics.
Kasymaliev said that currently, Kyrgyzstan has about 800 enterprises with Russian participation. The work is in full swing at the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific-technical and humanitarian cooperation as well as the Kyrgyz-Russian interregional conference. “The cooperation of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom in the field of implementation of energy projects is being enhanced,” Adylbek Kasymaliev said.
Rais (Head) of Russia’s Tatarstan region Rustam Minnikhanov, who is Chairman of the Russia-Islamic World strategic vision group, said, “Following the orders of President Vladimir Putin, strategic groups are doing work under my guidance, but we must remember from where and how this cooperation originated. The process was initiated in 2003 by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation during his working visit to Malaysia. Addressing the participants of the 10th OIC summit in Putrajaya, the head of state said that Russia needs to participate in its activity as it is ‘intertwined with the Islamic world’. In 2005, such a decision was taken, and next year this decision will mark its 20th anniversary. <...>“Two years ago, our President Vladimir Putin resolved that this forum is a federal rather than regional event. I say a great thanks to the head of state. Marat Khusnullin was selected as the chairman of the organizing committee. Together, we hold these events at quite a different level. The work of our strategy group meeting fits in very well. When we discuss issues of concern to the Islamic world, we move to a platform where we discuss a broader integration of our relationships. Islamic banking, halal lifestyle, expanded tourism- all this runs under the auspices and with the support from the leadership of our country, our President, and Government,” he emphasized.
The Rais (President) of the Republic of Tatarstan highlighted the long-term good relations being maintained between Russia and the OIC countries. “The Islamic world has always supported Russia, and we appreciate that,” he said.
Minister of Economy of the Sultanate of Oman Saeed Mohammed Ahmed Al Sakri voiced the idea that relations between the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and Russia has progressed to a brand-new level. The Cooperation Council, he said, has always paid much attention to economic cooperation and efforts to increase trade with various countries, including Russia, and investment by signing free trade zone agreements. “Over the past 40 years, Council member countries have invested money in infrastructure, ports, including sea ports, and the logistics sector. The Sultanate of Oman, for one, has invested in projects to build a number of ports with access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. These ports became the symbol of open economic and trade zones, given their very beneficial geographic location. <…> We believe that the agreements on establishing transport corridors, including the North-South corridor, are a very important project that can help expand the framework of cooperation and investment,” Saeed Mohammed Ahmed Al Sakri stated.
“The relations being maintained between the United Arab Emirates and Russia are versatile, and they are reflected in billions of dollars worth of trade that is growing, and the figure will grow and rise from $9 billion to exceed this amount manifold. Mutual investments on the part of Russian investors are also growing. The flow of tourists between the two countries is also growing. Russia received 1 million tourists from the UAE last year, and the UAE received 1.5 million tourists from Russia,” Under Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy Abdulla Al Saleh said.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri told the session that transport corridors are not solely routes for transporting cargoes, as they determine spheres of development. “The region across which the corridor runs is not the only participant, as other countries are also involved in the operation of this corridor, which, in turn, supports peace in the region. There is a reality that the world without support from cooperation and economic ties cannot be sustainable,” Ali Bagheri said. “The threat being posed to the regions, especially Russia, by the United States as well as the use of sanctions instruments against our countries hangs over us. Thanks to the wisdom of our leaders, this sanctions threat has been transformed into an opportunity for the countries to cooperate. Iran, as a country that occupies an exceptional geopolitical position in the region, can serve as an axis for rapprochement and the strengthening of communication between all countries," he concluded.
In closing remarks, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia Magomedsalam Magomedov assured all participants in the Forum that Russia is open to cooperation, dialogue with friends and all those who builds dialogue on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit and the respect of national interests. According to the speaker, Islamic countries have showed a balanced approach as they build mostly friendly relations with Russia, which is reciprocated by Russia. “The Russian Federation is a multinational and multi-religious country, and Muslims are very significant and respected members of our country. It is vital that there be peace and harmony between representatives of all faiths. Russia is a unique state, in the words of our national leader, Russian President Vladimir Putin, it is a separate civilization with its own cultural code. Initially, our country was formed as a union of peoples of different faiths. Over the past thousand of years, we have learned to live a friendly life and respect each other. Unlike Western colonial powers, Russia has never resorted to extermination, economic exploitation or cultural genocide. Our history has seen various periods, but difficulties have always come alongside development,” Magomedsalam Magomedov concluded.
At the plenary meeting, participants discussed plans plans and prospects for the development of mutually beneficial relations between Russia and the OIC countries for the benefit of the world population as part of efforts to harmonize international processes and achieve a balance of sustainable global growth.
The 15th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2024" is being held on May 14-19 in Kazan. This year's keynote is "Trust and Cooperation." The main goal of the forum is to strengthen trade and economic, scientific and technical, social and cultural ties between Russian regions and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as to promote the development of the Islamic financial system institutions in Russia.
