The opening of the XIV International Economic Forum "Russia – the Islamic World: KazanForum" 2023 and the international halal industry exhibition Russia Halal Expo took place at the Kazan Expo site. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Kohir Rasulzoda, Head of the Ministry of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Strategic Vision Group "Russia - Islamic World" Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy Secretary General of the OIC Ahmad Kavesa Sengendo.

Marat Khusnullin noted that on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, KazanForum has been held at the federal level since this year. About 15 thousand people from 84 countries will take part in the events. In total, more than 150 business sessions are planned.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Russia and the Islamic states are bound by strong ties of friendship and deep respect. "The strategic nature of our partnership not only strengthens relations, but also opens up new prospects. This is evidenced by the growth of trade turnover between Russia and the OIC states by almost 30% over the past 3 years. I am convinced that by joining efforts, we will be able to overcome the existing challenges together, achieve prosperity of our states and peoples," Marat Khusnullin said.

Kohir Rasulzoda, in turn, highly appreciated the importance of the forum in terms of strengthening and further expanding cooperation between Russia and Tajikistan in the field of mutual investment and cooperation.

The Rais of Tatarstan welcomed the participants of KazanForum and thanked the Government of the Russian Federation for its support in the preparation of the forum. "Special words of gratitude to our friends from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, with whom we are actively working, to all foreign partners and business representatives who visited KazanForum. We have tried to create comfortable conditions for our guests to work and establish new contacts. I am sure that this forum will contribute to the further prosperity of our countries," Rustam Minnikhanov added.

Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko also sent their greetings to the forum participants.

After the opening ceremony, the guests got acquainted with the exposition of Russia Halal Expo. The exhibition is the largest halal industry venue in Russia. Among the participants are representatives of almost all sectors of the economy, including food production, healthcare, industry, fashion and beauty industry, tourism, information technology, finance and investment. The exhibition presents initiatives of the Islamic economy, mutually beneficial technological alliances, B2B projects, products of large businesses and SMEs.

Within the framework of the exhibition, Marat Khusnullin and Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed the participants of the section "Woman entrepreneur: balance of family and business", got acquainted with the prototype of the domestic electric car "Atom", and also inspected the cars "Aurus".