KazanForum 2026 will bring together investments, the agricultural-industrial sector, and Islamic finance
KazanForum 2026 will bring together investments, the agricultural-industrial sector, and Islamic finance
17 December
The second meeting of the Organizing Committee for the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” was held in Moscow. During the meeting, the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, presented proposals for the Forum’s business and exhibition programmes.
Opening the meeting, Marat Khusnullin, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, noted that the preparations for the Forum are progressing as planned.
“This is the fourth time that KazanForum will be held as a federal event. The Forum has already proven its effectiveness as a unique platform for strengthening multilateral economic and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world. Our priority, consistent with the objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for Life” will be increasing non-energy exports, as well as financing and developing tourism. The Forum programme is almost complete. We have agreed to hold several meetings of the Intergovernmental Commissions on its sidelines and we are launching an invitation campaign this year. Our shared goal is to organize the 2026 event at the highest level, making it even more substantive and productive for businesses, regions, and the state. KazanForum attracts more and more participants each year, and it is a valuable tool for growth in exports and economies of our countries,” said Marat Khusnullin.
According to Rustam Minnikhanov, countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) remain Tatarstan’s key foreign economic partners. In the first nine months of this year, the Republic’s trade turnover with OIC countries exceeded $5.1 billion, accounting for approximately half of the region’s total foreign trade. Türkiye and Kazakhstan account for approximately 75% of this figure.
The Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan noted that a list of more than 100 projects proposed by federal executive bodies and constituent entities of the Russian Federation for inclusion in the Forum’s business program has now been compiled.
A number of initiatives are aimed at expanding the participation of Russian enterprises in the International Exhibition of Cooperation between Russia and the Islamic World, as well as promoting halal as a key element of economic cooperation.
Work is also underway to promote KazanForum and investment projects in Russian regions through international business missions, working visits, and specialized forums. Official delegations from Türkiye, Malaysia, Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the CIS countries have recently visited Tatarstan.
Meetings of intergovernmental commissions in Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates yielded positive results. An agreement to hold the next meeting of the Russian-Emirati Intergovernmental Commission in Kazan was reached during the meeting in Dubai in December.
The agricultural-industrial complex will play a significant role in the program of KazanForum 2026. According to the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic ranked fifth in Russia and first in the Volga Federal District in agricultural production last year. OIC markets offer significant export potential for promoting Russian goods and brands.
The Forum also plans to host a specialized conference on horse breeding development, featuring Russian and international experts. The programme will also include national horse racing as part of the KazanForum 2026 business and cultural agenda.
KazanForum 2026 will take place during the year when Kazan will be the cultural capital of the Islamic world. The official opening is scheduled for May 14, 2026. The Congress of the OIC Ministers of Culture will also take place on the sidelines of the Forum.
Financial and banking topics will be a key focus of the business programme, with Islamic (partnership) finance traditionally taking center stage. Preparations are currently underway for the Сongress of the OIC National Banks.
Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, announced that a representative office of the AAOIFI, the international organization for Islamic finance standards, will open in Kazan on December 26.
“This is one of the key steps in the pilot project to introduce Islamic finance. Today, eight out of eleven Russian experts certified by AAOIFI are based in Tatarstan,” said Taliya Minullina.
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” has been held in Kazan annually since 2009. The key objective of the event is to develop economic, trade, and social and cultural relations between Russia and Islamic countries. The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event.
Photo: Press Service of Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
Opening the meeting, Marat Khusnullin, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, noted that the preparations for the Forum are progressing as planned.
“This is the fourth time that KazanForum will be held as a federal event. The Forum has already proven its effectiveness as a unique platform for strengthening multilateral economic and humanitarian cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world. Our priority, consistent with the objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for Life” will be increasing non-energy exports, as well as financing and developing tourism. The Forum programme is almost complete. We have agreed to hold several meetings of the Intergovernmental Commissions on its sidelines and we are launching an invitation campaign this year. Our shared goal is to organize the 2026 event at the highest level, making it even more substantive and productive for businesses, regions, and the state. KazanForum attracts more and more participants each year, and it is a valuable tool for growth in exports and economies of our countries,” said Marat Khusnullin.
According to Rustam Minnikhanov, countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) remain Tatarstan’s key foreign economic partners. In the first nine months of this year, the Republic’s trade turnover with OIC countries exceeded $5.1 billion, accounting for approximately half of the region’s total foreign trade. Türkiye and Kazakhstan account for approximately 75% of this figure.
The Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan noted that a list of more than 100 projects proposed by federal executive bodies and constituent entities of the Russian Federation for inclusion in the Forum’s business program has now been compiled.
A number of initiatives are aimed at expanding the participation of Russian enterprises in the International Exhibition of Cooperation between Russia and the Islamic World, as well as promoting halal as a key element of economic cooperation.
Work is also underway to promote KazanForum and investment projects in Russian regions through international business missions, working visits, and specialized forums. Official delegations from Türkiye, Malaysia, Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the CIS countries have recently visited Tatarstan.
Meetings of intergovernmental commissions in Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates yielded positive results. An agreement to hold the next meeting of the Russian-Emirati Intergovernmental Commission in Kazan was reached during the meeting in Dubai in December.
The agricultural-industrial complex will play a significant role in the program of KazanForum 2026. According to the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic ranked fifth in Russia and first in the Volga Federal District in agricultural production last year. OIC markets offer significant export potential for promoting Russian goods and brands.
The Forum also plans to host a specialized conference on horse breeding development, featuring Russian and international experts. The programme will also include national horse racing as part of the KazanForum 2026 business and cultural agenda.
KazanForum 2026 will take place during the year when Kazan will be the cultural capital of the Islamic world. The official opening is scheduled for May 14, 2026. The Congress of the OIC Ministers of Culture will also take place on the sidelines of the Forum.
Financial and banking topics will be a key focus of the business programme, with Islamic (partnership) finance traditionally taking center stage. Preparations are currently underway for the Сongress of the OIC National Banks.
Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, announced that a representative office of the AAOIFI, the international organization for Islamic finance standards, will open in Kazan on December 26.
“This is one of the key steps in the pilot project to introduce Islamic finance. Today, eight out of eleven Russian experts certified by AAOIFI are based in Tatarstan,” said Taliya Minullina.
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” has been held in Kazan annually since 2009. The key objective of the event is to develop economic, trade, and social and cultural relations between Russia and Islamic countries. The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event.
Photo: Press Service of Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
