From Seeds to Ships: Myanmar Aims to Develop Co-оperation with Russia
From Seeds to Ships: Myanmar Aims to Develop Co-оperation with Russia
15 May
Russia and Myanmar plan to establish co-operation in the production of fertilisers and seeds. Construction of a plant for the production of liquid fertilisers is commencing on the territory of this state. This was announced to journalists at the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” by Kan Zaw, Union Minister for Finance and Revenue of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. He stressed that Russia and Myanmar are strategic partners across many sectors. The agro-industrial sector is one of the priority areas. In the longer term, projects are planned in the fields of water supply, sunflower seed production, and their supply from the Russian Federation.
“In addition, we have opportunities for the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. We are interested not only in cooperation in procurement, but also in technology and training at leading universities of the Russian Federation,” Kan Zaw reported.
Charlie Than, Union Minister for Industry and Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, added that Russia could take part in a project to restore a cast-iron smelting plant. A meeting was held at KazanForum with representatives of the company that may participate in the project.
Charlie Than stated that, having visited the exhibition organised as part of KazanForum, he was interested in opportunities for cooperation with Innopolis University in technology exchange and specialist training. “I was interested to visit the stand of the Ak Bars shipbuilding company. We saw models of high-speed vessels. There may well be opportunities for cooperation in ship design and construction,” said the Union Minister for Industry and MSME Development of Myanmar.
The Union Minister for Finance and Revenue of Myanmar noted that the development of cooperation with Tatarstan was discussed in 2022 at a meeting with Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov during his visit. Two documents of intent were signed – the first with an agricultural company on trade development, and the second with the Alabuga Special Economic Zone on the employment of workers from Myanmar at the SEZ's enterprises. “Workers from Myanmar are already working in the Special Economic Zone. We will be sending more Myanmar workers to the Special Economic Zone, and we are counting on the support of the Rais of Tatarstan so that they may arrive on time,” said Kan Zaw.
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The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Cooperation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
“In addition, we have opportunities for the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. We are interested not only in cooperation in procurement, but also in technology and training at leading universities of the Russian Federation,” Kan Zaw reported.
Charlie Than, Union Minister for Industry and Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) Development of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, added that Russia could take part in a project to restore a cast-iron smelting plant. A meeting was held at KazanForum with representatives of the company that may participate in the project.
Charlie Than stated that, having visited the exhibition organised as part of KazanForum, he was interested in opportunities for cooperation with Innopolis University in technology exchange and specialist training. “I was interested to visit the stand of the Ak Bars shipbuilding company. We saw models of high-speed vessels. There may well be opportunities for cooperation in ship design and construction,” said the Union Minister for Industry and MSME Development of Myanmar.
The Union Minister for Finance and Revenue of Myanmar noted that the development of cooperation with Tatarstan was discussed in 2022 at a meeting with Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov during his visit. Two documents of intent were signed – the first with an agricultural company on trade development, and the second with the Alabuga Special Economic Zone on the employment of workers from Myanmar at the SEZ's enterprises. “Workers from Myanmar are already working in the Special Economic Zone. We will be sending more Myanmar workers to the Special Economic Zone, and we are counting on the support of the Rais of Tatarstan so that they may arrive on time,” said Kan Zaw.
*****
The International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum” is being held in Kazan from 12 to 17 May 2026. In accordance with a decree of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the Forum acquired federal status in 2023, becoming the main platform for interaction between Russia and the Islamic world.
Representatives from 103 countries have registered for KazanForum 2026.
The Forum’s 2026 business programme includes 149 events across 21 tracks. Several international exhibitions will be held as part of the Forum: The International Exhibition of Cooperation between Russia and the Islamic World, the “Innovations. Investment. Infrastructure” Exhibition, the International Real Estate Exhibition and Conference, and the Kazan Halal Market Trade Fair. The agenda also includes: the Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of OIC Countries, the Forum of Young Diplomats, the Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, meetings of intergovernmental commissions and bilateral conferences, festivals, gastronomic and sports projects, including the “Business on Horseback” horse race and the International Jockeys’ Championship.
In 2026, Kazan holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Islamic World. Cultural co‑operation will be one of the key themes of the humanitarian agenda – during the Forum, the Congress of Ministers of Culture of OIC Countries and the 15th Session of the ICESCO General Conference will be held. The programme will conclude with the “Izge Bolgar Zhyeni” gathering in Bolgar, dedicated to the Day of the Official Adoption of Islam by Volga Bulgaria.
The full programme of the Event is available on the Forum’s official website.
The Roscongress Foundation acts as the Operator for the preparation and holding of the Event, whereas ANO “Directorate for Sports and Social Projects” serves as the Operator’s Executive Directorate.
