KazanForum Discussed Prospects for Halal Tourism in the Arctic and the Far East
KazanForum Discussed Prospects for Halal Tourism in the Arctic and the Far East
16 May
The Far East and Arctic Development Corporation discussed the prospects of halal tourism and priority projects at a specialised session during the XVI International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”. The Session was attended by Maria Badmatsyrenova, Deputy Director of the Investment Department at the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation; Sergey Emelyanov, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Komi; and Shukhrat Razakov, General Director of Kamchatka Falconry Centre.
“There are cultural specifics everywhere; now we are trying to develop the infrastructure of Arctic cities to make tourism comfortable: we are engaged in the improvement of routes. KazanForum is the Eastern SPIEF: the emphasis is placed correctly, the speakers are well chosen, and the organisation is brilliant,” says Sergey Emelyanov.
The tourism market in the Islamic world has huge potential. In 2024, the main flow of foreign tourists arriving to Russia came from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Egypt. During the Session, participants discussed halal-friendly standards and opportunities to promote new tourism products.
“The Arctic and the Far East constitute a large portion of our country, but Russia means mainly Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Kazan for the majority of people. The highlight of the Arctic regions is the unique environmental and ethnographic aspect. Foreign participants of the Session coming from Malaysia and Indonesia spoke about the importance of complying with halal-friendly standards, but I believe that Russia is ‘friendly’ in everything: we are open to and we welcome everyone, so it is crucial to include all regions of our country, especially considering the active development of transport accessibility nowadays,” claims Maria Badmatsyrenova.
Shukhrat Razakov, Director General of Kamchatka Falconry Centre, reported on how the work on conservation of critically endangered birds is being carried out together with partners from the United Arab Emirates.
“The Falconry Centre was established on instructions of Vladimir Putin, and we got our first gyrfalcons in 2022. The main goal of the Centre is to preserve critically endangered birds and revive traditions: for example, to restore falconry together with our Arab partners. Now we are preparing a team to take part in competitions in Abu Dhabi, where we have been invited in December. Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also interested in joint work on falcon conservation,” adds Shukhrat Razakov.
***
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, which was granted federal status in 2022 by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, is being held for the 16th time on 13-18 May 2025. The Programme includes 200 events such as a Congress of Ministers of Transport within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Ministers of Culture within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Prosecutors General within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Auditors within the Islamic countries; the world’s largest conference on Islamic finance; conferences on the halal industry; a forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry within the Islamic countries; as well as international exhibitions on economy, trade, and real estate held over 40 thousand sq. m. Representatives from 103 countries registered to participate in 2025. In 2024, the Event gathered more than 20 thousand participants from 87 countries, 87 constituent subjects of the Russian Federation, along with more than 40 diplomatic missions.
“There are cultural specifics everywhere; now we are trying to develop the infrastructure of Arctic cities to make tourism comfortable: we are engaged in the improvement of routes. KazanForum is the Eastern SPIEF: the emphasis is placed correctly, the speakers are well chosen, and the organisation is brilliant,” says Sergey Emelyanov.
The tourism market in the Islamic world has huge potential. In 2024, the main flow of foreign tourists arriving to Russia came from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Egypt. During the Session, participants discussed halal-friendly standards and opportunities to promote new tourism products.
“The Arctic and the Far East constitute a large portion of our country, but Russia means mainly Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Kazan for the majority of people. The highlight of the Arctic regions is the unique environmental and ethnographic aspect. Foreign participants of the Session coming from Malaysia and Indonesia spoke about the importance of complying with halal-friendly standards, but I believe that Russia is ‘friendly’ in everything: we are open to and we welcome everyone, so it is crucial to include all regions of our country, especially considering the active development of transport accessibility nowadays,” claims Maria Badmatsyrenova.
Shukhrat Razakov, Director General of Kamchatka Falconry Centre, reported on how the work on conservation of critically endangered birds is being carried out together with partners from the United Arab Emirates.
“The Falconry Centre was established on instructions of Vladimir Putin, and we got our first gyrfalcons in 2022. The main goal of the Centre is to preserve critically endangered birds and revive traditions: for example, to restore falconry together with our Arab partners. Now we are preparing a team to take part in competitions in Abu Dhabi, where we have been invited in December. Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also interested in joint work on falcon conservation,” adds Shukhrat Razakov.
***
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”, which was granted federal status in 2022 by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, is being held for the 16th time on 13-18 May 2025. The Programme includes 200 events such as a Congress of Ministers of Transport within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Ministers of Culture within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Prosecutors General within the Islamic countries; a Congress of Auditors within the Islamic countries; the world’s largest conference on Islamic finance; conferences on the halal industry; a forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry within the Islamic countries; as well as international exhibitions on economy, trade, and real estate held over 40 thousand sq. m. Representatives from 103 countries registered to participate in 2025. In 2024, the Event gathered more than 20 thousand participants from 87 countries, 87 constituent subjects of the Russian Federation, along with more than 40 diplomatic missions.
