Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Organizing Committee of the International Economic Forum "Russia – the Islamic World: KazanForum" Marat Khusnullin, First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov and Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk took part in the plenary session of the forum, where issues of partnership between the Russian Federation and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation were discussed.

"We see prospects and huge opportunities for cooperation with the countries of the Islamic world in all spheres: transport, food, exchange of goods, technology. Hundreds of meetings were held at the forum, important documents were signed. I am convinced that the contacts that have been established here will definitely continue. I think that next year we should hold this event at an even higher level," Marat Khusnullin said.

According to him, there is an ever-growing interest in KazanForum from other countries and international organizations, and this is confirmed by the large number of participants and the geography of the countries. The increased importance of the forum is also underlined by the decision of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to hold the forum at the federal level, the Deputy Prime Minister noted. He also added that Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin pays special attention to issues of cooperation with Muslim countries.

Andrey Belousov, in his speech at the plenary session of the forum, focused on the development of the North–South transport corridor, which, according to him, is the largest geopolitical and geo-economic infrastructure project of the current decade. "This corridor is an integral part of the process of becoming a multipolar world, a deep, fundamental trend of transferring economic activity to the south and southeast. This is a promising direction that will continue to develop in the future," the First Deputy Prime Minister said.

In turn, Alexey Overchuk drew attention to the fact that, following the global trends associated with the shift of the centers of economic power from west to east and from north to south, Russia is increasingly building logistics, connectivity with the countries of the global South and Islamic states. "Our relations cannot but be influenced by the global shifts that are taking place. We are talking about the processes of creating an independent financial system, digital transformation, processes related to the climate agenda, and issues of energy and food security. We see that relations between Russia and the Islamic states have a very big and positive future. And the government is doing a lot to develop this," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The Head of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, for his part, noted that relations with the Islamic world are gaining special importance against the background of cardinal shifts in the international arena and great challenges for our country. "Russia has great prospects in the development of the Islamic economy and the development of Islamic finance. The XIV International Economic Forum "Russia – the Islamic World: KazanForum 2023" is a good platform for discussing new models of international business cooperation that contribute to reducing the technological vulnerability of each country," he said. Rustam Minnikhanov also thanked all participants and guests of KazanForum for their active involvement in the work. According to him, it is only together and in conditions of trusting relations and mutual respect that it is possible to cope with the challenges of the new time.

Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ahmad Kavesa Sengendo read out the greeting of OIC Secretary General Hussein Ibrahim Taha. "Taking into account the long–standing historical relations between the OIC member States and the Russian Federation and taking into account the fact that the OIC member states have huge potential, including important natural resources, this needs to be transformed into meaningful results to ensure the well–being of the population. It is necessary to develop mutually beneficial relations between the OIC member States and Russia through the development and implementation of joint projects. In this aspect, I would like to invite Russian investors to come to the OIC member states and invest their resources and experience in various areas that have important potential," Ahmad Kavesa Sengendo quoted.

The plenary session also conveyed greetings from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Crown Prince of Bahrain, Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who wished success and prosperity to the forum participants. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia Mohamad Sabu.

The International Economic Forum "Russia – the Islamic World: KazanForum" is being held on May 18-19, 2023 in Kazan for the 14th time. In accordance with the decree of President Vladimir Putin, the forum has received federal status since 2023. The business program includes more than 150 events on 16 thematic tracks, including finance, industry, technology, ESG principles, small and medium-sized businesses, medicine, sports and others. The key objective of the forum is the development of economic, trade, socio–cultural relations between Russia and Islamic states.

Source: Press Service of the Government of the Russian Federation