OREANDA-NEWS  Tatarstan and India can expand cooperation in mechanical engineering, energy, pharmaceuticals, high technology, electronics and other industries, said the head of the republic, Rustam Minnikhanov.

"Our republic is interested in promoting the products of its enterprises to India – these are trucks, helicopters, ships, gas pumping equipment, tires, compressors, medical instruments, machine-building and petrochemical products. We aim to expand cooperation with India in the fields of high technologies, electronics, energy, pharmaceuticals, light industry and others," Minnikhanov said at a business breakfast at the TIME: Russia–India business forum. Mutual effectiveness".

Minnikhanov noted that one of the main factors in ensuring the further development of the economy is the implementation of investment projects. Today Tatarstan holds a leading position in the Russian rating of investment attractiveness of Russian regions. Excellent infrastructure has been created for investors: two special economic zones, Alabuga and Innopolis, operate, dozens of industrial parks, technoparks, and business incubators operate throughout the republic. The head of the region invited his Indian colleagues to explore Tatarstan's potential and investment opportunities in the republic's economy.

"Tatarstan attaches great importance to the development of cooperation with India within the framework of relations between the two states. The governments and business circles of our countries are actively working to expand cooperation in various fields. We are ready to participate in these processes at the regional level," he said.

Minnikhanov stressed that Kazan is one of the leading Russian scientific and educational centers, and suggested developing ties between scientific communities and universities, and implementing joint projects. He recalled that the Consulate General of India will soon open in Kazan. In addition, work is underway to open a trade and economic representative office of Tatarstan in India.

The Indian Ambassador to Russia noted that these areas are promising for the development of cooperation. Tatarstan, in his opinion, may also be interested in India's systematic approach to health issues and the experience of developing the film industry.

Business Forum "TIME: Russia - India. Mutual Efficiency" is taking place for the first time in Kazan on October 8-9.

The business program includes more than 10 sessions in key areas: investments and finance, labor market, education and science, IT and digital technologies, medicine, petrochemical complex, agriculture, film industry and media sphere. In addition, bilateral meetings, industrial excursions, and an exhibition of Tatarstan and Russian enterprises are planned. It is planned to sign agreements on the implementation of joint projects and launch new business initiatives. The forum is held with the support of the Government of Tatarstan and the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation.