Taliya Minullina: ‘We will continue moving mountains’

Investment as unpredictable quantity

It is difficult to plan in investment activity. This work is affected by both political and economic factors. Moreover, Tatarstan acts within legal boundaries of the Russian Federation. So, the sanctions and restrictions of western states, fall in oil and countersanctions all have an impact on the republic.

'But it does not mean that we are not going to move the mountain,' noted Minullina. 'According to one Chinese proverb, 'The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones'. Anyway, we should move forward.'

According to one Chinese proverb, 'The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones'. Anyway, we should move forward.

In general, in Minullina's estimations, the investment year finished well for Tatarstan. 'We have $812m of foreign investments. Direct foreign investments account for almost a half of them. We have good indicators concerning investments in the fixed capital – 597bn rubles. We traditionally take the first place in Volga Federal District. In Russia, we are among the three leaders regarding this indicator together with Moscow and Tyumen.'

TIDA has forecasted indicators for 2016, too. But they are symbolic because of the influence of external factors, so Minullina did not present concrete figures.

3,2bn rubles of Chinese investments

Speaking about Chinese companies today, Tatarstan can be sure of 3,2bn rubles from Haier. In spring, the company will launch a production of refrigerators. 'It is a major player in the world market, not on the Chinese one. As we think, their project in Tatarstan will be a landmark for other world players,' Minullina emphasized. 'The company began to deliver the equipment to the future enterprise and prepare the personnel. The trial run is planned in March. The official opening will be in April.

The head of TIDA also added that now the authority of the republic and administration of Haier discuss new projects: 'It is good that we have a good partnership.'

The phrase 'Haier invests 3,2bn rubles' means three years of work

At the beginning of 2015, it was said that some representatives of Chinese automotive industry might appear in Tatarstan. Minullina explained that the negotiations on this topic are still held. 'The phrase 'Haier invests 3,2bn rubles' means three years of work', and now she cannot say the same thing concerning other Chinese investors.

Castorama and shop in Kazan

The head of the agency also mentioned the agreements with Castorama. The investor plans to open a hypermarket in Kazan, 'They liked the location, but it is under discussion as well. It is in the city but not in the centre. Undoubtedly, retail outlets are interesting for us, as to development. I think we will progress here fast,' said Minullina.

The representatives of the company were given technical characteristics of the parcel, so that they could start the provisional design. The details were postponed by the investor and will be discussed in two weeks. Then the negotiations will be reopened.

Interested Iran and fast Azerbaijan

Projects with Iranian companies are also under discussion. 'We started to speak about the production of medical materials. This project comes from a business mission directed towards Tatarstan,' told the head of TIDA.

Sometimes we don't know who would become our partner, and we look for him or her. At times they don't have an elaborated documentation: there is an idea and initial business plan but no economic foundation, clear financial model

All projects, which we started to discuss with our potential partners from Iran, are under discussion: 'Sometimes we don't know who would become our partner, and we look for him or her. At times they don't have an elaborated documentation: they have an idea and initial business plan but no economic foundation, clear financial model'.

We quickly got along with Benkons Group from Azerbaijan. Initially, we discussed a juice processing plant, found a place and the parcel was registered. 'We saw that we could do something simultaneously. Although this project (Editor's Note: production of juices) continues developing, we decided to start another one, which is a construction of hotel.'

The hotel is to appear between the Aquatic Palace and Kazan-Arena. It will be built by FIFA World Cup in 2018.

Opportunity to earn money during a crisis

Minullina added that we are in crisis and cheap working force is an argument during negotiations.

'Undoubtedly, they [Editor's Note: investors] understand that now strategically it is very useful to invest in Russia. Everything is cheap. It clear that one day there will be a growth regardless of any fall.

Big business is a big risk. As for the sanctions… If there is an economic basis, the hearts will meet

One might get rich from it. Those who understand it, have projects. Business is always a risk. Big business is often a big risk. As for the sanctions… If there is an economic crisis, the hearts will meet.'

Plans for investors

'Our principal aim is concrete investment projects and search for financing for them. Now we need to launch the construction of Kazan Expo near the international airport of Kazan,' Minullina started her answer to a question of plans of TIDA in 2016.

Investment promotion of the republic is important too. 'A brand and image can be destroyed in no time. It is necessary to work on its creation actively during a long period.' A programme called Invest in Tatarstan should help here. 'We would like to have branded products, in-flight magazines and involve world chains of hotels to make Tatarstan famous.

Social networks will join us too. We will never visit that quantity of countries that Internet is able to cover,' Minullina pointed out.

KazanSummit 2.0

On the year-end panel of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, it became known that the directorate of KazanSummit will work from 2016. It will work on the summit only. Now TIDA includes 27 people who are also responsible for the organization of the event.

A brand and image can be destroyed in no time. It is necessary to work on its creation actively during a long period.

'It is necessary to make KazanSummit earn money and meet its requirements. Summit is to cover its spending. If not, it would be strange that the Investment Development Agency, which is to attract money, will spend budgetary funds,' added Minullina.

Participation in the summit always was on paying basis. It allowed to earn money. This year a standard package of a participant will be 30,000 rubles. Other regions of Russia will have an opportunity to present their infrastructure, so it will be an additional income. For instance, installation of a stand that occupies an area of 12 square metres costs 500,000 rubles.

According to international standards, it is a very small sum. We are just approaching this level, so we cannot ask more,' Minullina explained.

She also added that there are verbal agreements with some VIP. Minullina did not name them. However, she said that TIDA is going to Saudi Arabia in March in order to discuss additional details with the representatives of the Islamic Development Bank.

TIDA's new home with exhibition for investors

TIDA is going to move into a new building by summer. 'We want to prepare a bit. The building of the agency is an element of the image too.' Potential investors, consuls, representatives of other regions of the federation are among the guests of the agency: 'We want to welcome them with dignity,' the head of the agency stated.

We want to prepare a bit. The building of the agency is an element of the image too

'We planned to make a small permanent exhibition of Tatarstan. And each guest who visits us would acquaint with Tatarstan. Nowadays when people come to us, we make a presentation and show videos.'