Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum" Marat Khusnullin held a meeting of the Organizing Committee. It was attended by the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Advisor to the President of Russia Anton Kobyakov, representatives of federal ministries and other members of the organizing committee.

"By the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the forum is held at the federal level. In the context of anti-Russian sanctions imposed by unfriendly countries and increasing tension in the Middle East, our event has a special responsibility to expand and strengthen Russia's ties with the Muslim world. It is gratifying to see the ever-growing interest in the forum on the part of other countries and international organizations. This is confirmed by the large number of participants and the geography of countries. Last year more than 16 thousand people from 80 countries of the world became participants", - Marat Khusnullin noted.

He said that over the past three years the trade turnover of Russia with the states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has increased by 37% and amounted to $156 billion.

"Russia sees Muslim countries as its reliable strategic partners. The fact that most of them adhere to an independent and autonomous policy in the international arena makes it possible to develop joint projects and utilize new opportunities. Our priority task is to strengthen this partnership. It is important at the highest level to organize and ensure control over the implementation of measures to prepare and hold the forum. I would like to note that the last forum was held at a high level, for which I would like to thank the entire team of the Republic of Tatarstan headed by Rustam Minnikhanov," the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

The meeting discussed and approved organizational issues of holding the forum in 2024. Among other things, attention was paid to the preparation of the business and cultural program of the forum, as well as the organization of collective expositions of the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and stands of Russian and foreign companies.

Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan and Deputy Chairman of the KazanForum Organizing Committee, said that to date representatives from 54 countries have confirmed their participation in the event.

"For 15 years of its existence, KazanForum has established itself as a full-fledged and effective platform where constructive dialog is conducted aimed at developing economic, trade, investment and socio-cultural ties with Islamic countries. The Forum is of great interest to our foreign partners. Work is underway to organize the visit of guests who have confirmed their participation. The business program of the forum is diverse and rich. A total of 125 sessions will be held on such relevant topics as international cooperation, science and technology, investment, industry, halal industry, Islamic finance, culture, sports, tourism, women's perspective. The theme of the plenary session of the forum is "Financial and logistics infrastructure of Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation". This year, a special event of the strategic vision group "Russia - Islamic World" will be held on the site of Bashir Rameyev IT Park," Rustam Minnikhanov said.

Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of Russia, Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee, also spoke about the planned events of the forum.

"Year by year the forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum" is becoming more and more authoritative and influential. In addition to the main business program, there will be an international exhibition of economic and scientific and technological cooperation Russia Halal Expo 2024, the Yunus Akhmetzyanov International Tournament of Young Chefs of Islamic Countries, the XIV All-Russian Forum of Tatar religious figures, the X Kazan Forum of Young Entrepreneurs of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries and the Forum of Young Diplomats of the OIC countries. Kazan will also host a meeting of ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary of foreign countries in Russia and a series of business events on the lines of UNESCO, as well as a sports program. Intergovernmental commissions on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation of the Russian Federation with foreign countries will be held as part of the forum program. Special attention within the forum will be paid to the topic of halal. I am confident that the jubilee forum in Kazan will strengthen cooperation between the business communities of Russia and Muslim countries, as well as open new opportunities for joint projects at the interregional and interstate level," said Anton Kobyakov.

The International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum" will be held from May 14 to 19. The purpose of the event is to strengthen trade and economic, scientific and technical, educational, social and cultural ties between the regions of Russia and the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Source: website of the Government of the Russian Federation