''All sites had already been booked by the time we were ripe for the creation of our own stand at the Petersburg forum''
Interview with the head of the State Committee for External Economic Links of Bashkiria
Realnoe Vremya's reviewer met with Chairman of the State Committee for External Economic Links of the Republic of Bashkortostan Ruslan Mirsayapov during the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. In a talk with our journalist, ''Lavrov from Bashkiria'' told about agreements the republic had signed, development of tourism in the region and told how relations of Ufa and Kazan would develop.
Agreements and absent stand
Mr Mirsayapov, how many agreements have Bashkiria and Bashkir companies signed on forum days?
We've worked quite hard at this forum. And the republic has signed 11 agreements on fulfilment of investment projects at a total of more than 30 billion rubles.
Which of the agreements signed in Petersburg do you consider the most important for the region?
Several serious strategic documents on cooperation – the agreement on collaboration with KAMAZ, agreement on further joint acts with Rosneft and a series of agreements on fulfilment of investment projects on the territory of Bashkortostan with both Russian and foreign investors.
Who has represented the republic at this forum besides you and Rustem Khamitov?
Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov, Prime Minister of the government Rustem Mardanov, deputy prime ministers, ministers, business people – owners and directors of RIA, Vostokneftezavodmontazh, Development Corporation of the Republic, the regional Chamber of Trade and Industry. The delegation was quite big – 23 people.
Several serious strategic documents on cooperation – the agreement on collaboration with KAMAZ, agreement on further joint acts with Rosneft and a series of agreements on fulfilment of investment projects
Mr Mirsayapov, I paid attention to that many regions have represented their stands here, while that of Bashkortostan has been absent for many years. Why?
It will be. This time we've prepared for the event in quite a forced regime. All sites had already been booked by the time we were ripe for the creation of our own stand. But starting with the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi, which will be in the first quarter next year, the Republic of Bashkortostan will certainly be represented by an exposition at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum.
What can the republic represent on sites of the forum?
A lot, competitive products of Bashkortostan producers, offers to invest in our region, locate new enterprises.
Century-old friendship of Tatarstan and Bashkortostan
The brand Terra Bashkiria was presented in Ufa last month. What stage is the project at? How is it fulfilled?
We actively use this brand, it's already present in our presentation material. It's quite universal: it allows to attract both business and classic tourists – those who value Bashkir nature. This is why the work on popularisation of this brand, its wide use in the republic is carried out very actively.
What specific areas will the tourism cluster of the region develop in?
In many areas. You perfectly know possibilities of Bashkortostan: it's our health centres, tourism routes, business tourism, which a related session at the forum was dedicated to. Our republic has a very diversified economy, has considerable possibilities to hold events, including in tourism.
We actively use this brand, it's already present in our presentation material. It's quite universal: it allows to attract both business and classic tourists
Even a residency of Kysh Babay (Ded Moroz from Bashkiria) opened in the republic next to Shikhan Toratau two years ago…
Different episodic things, undoubtedly, are organised in many regions of Russia – in Tatarstan, Bashkortostan. And I completely welcome any activities of this kind.
What areas will relations between Bashkortostan and Tatarstan develop in?
The cooperation, friendship and collaboration between Tatarstan and Bashkortostan is a century-old story. We're closely linked with each other – there is a constant exchange in the economy, humanitarian sphere, education. We constantly collaborate with the plenipotentiary representative of Tatarstan who works in Ufa. A series of joint projects is prepared. Joint campaigns to support the talented youth have already been fulfilled from this year. We plan serious events next year, which will be dedicated to the 100th jubilee of our republic. In 2020, the Republic of Tatarstan will celebrate a jubilee. Undoubtedly, we will create a serious programme of events understanding that our enterprises, organisations, business people collaborate on a constant daily basis.