KazanForum Helps Russia's New Regions Attract Investors
KazanForum Helps Russia's New Regions Attract Investors
15 May
Delegates from 99 countries are attending the 17th International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum", up from around 80 in 2025, announced Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
"Due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Muslim countries are interested in Russia's position and what will happen with logistics. We see great interest in digitalisation. Each country has its own practices and approaches to development. This platform allows for an exchange of views. Trade turnover between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world is growing year on year. KazanForum contributes to this," said Khusnullin.
The event creates opportunities for Russian regions to build new ties. This also applies to the regions that have been reunified with Russia. They are working to attract investment, have already established direct contacts, and have interested investors ready to invest in development.
A number of meetings with various Central Asian countries were held as part of KazanForum. Almost all have horizontal links – between 75 and 85 regions have links with one another, noted Khusnullin. This makes it possible to export and import goods and services, which ultimately affects the development of trade turnover for both countries and regions.
"I want to highlight one feature of all the countries of the Islamic world – they are fast‑growing states with high demographics. This creates new challenges in urban planning, very serious issues in transport, digitalisation, and attracting investment. There is a great deal of useful experience, and this is a good platform for learning from each other. KazanForum is a bridge between Russia and its regions and the countries of the Islamic world," concluded Khusnullin.
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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 Co-operation 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.
"Due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Muslim countries are interested in Russia's position and what will happen with logistics. We see great interest in digitalisation. Each country has its own practices and approaches to development. This platform allows for an exchange of views. Trade turnover between Russia and the countries of the Islamic world is growing year on year. KazanForum contributes to this," said Khusnullin.
The event creates opportunities for Russian regions to build new ties. This also applies to the regions that have been reunified with Russia. They are working to attract investment, have already established direct contacts, and have interested investors ready to invest in development.
A number of meetings with various Central Asian countries were held as part of KazanForum. Almost all have horizontal links – between 75 and 85 regions have links with one another, noted Khusnullin. This makes it possible to export and import goods and services, which ultimately affects the development of trade turnover for both countries and regions.
"I want to highlight one feature of all the countries of the Islamic world – they are fast‑growing states with high demographics. This creates new challenges in urban planning, very serious issues in transport, digitalisation, and attracting investment. There is a great deal of useful experience, and this is a good platform for learning from each other. KazanForum is a bridge between Russia and its regions and the countries of the Islamic world," concluded Khusnullin.
*****
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 Co-operation 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.
