Expansion of External Contacts

The Republic of Tatarstan was one of the first in the Russian Federation to conduct a targeted work for conclusion of stable international agreements. The Republic actively develops its relations with the states of Eastern Europe, Persian Gulf and the Pacific Region. Tatarstan has gained great experience of cooperation with the USA, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria. It strengthens its links with regions and administrative units of Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and expands its contacts in the field of foreign economic exchange and mutually beneficial trade with China, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia and other countries.

In 1995 and the first half of 1996, the following results have been attained by the Republic of Tatarstan in the field of development of international links:

The visits of Tatarstan government delegations were prepared and held to Germany, Denmark, France, Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Australia, Malaysia, Iraq, PreDnestr Moldavian Republic and the Republic of Moldova, India, Cuba. Italy and SanMarino, United Arab Emirates.The Republic of Tatarstan was visited by over 130 delegations, of which 7 governmental, 36 delegations from embassies of foreign states, and business delegations from Germany, Great Britain, the USA, Turkey, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Iraq, Bulgaria, Japan, Denmark, Norway, Finland, South Africa, Belgium, Hungary, Ukraine, India, Iran, Kenya. Malaysia, Israel.

The government of the Republic of Tatarstan has signed intergovernmental treaties and agreements with Bundesanstalt für vereinigungsbedingte Sonderaufgaben (Germany), Regierung des Landes Niedersachsen (Germany), Carroll Foundation (Great Britain), the State of South Australia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cuba, San Marino, as well as with CIS countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgizia and Moldova.

The cooperation with international organisations is actively developed, most intensive information exchange being established with UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organisation). In collaboration with UNIDO experts the projects were elaborated related to the programmes of attracting foreign investments into the economy of the Republic.

Relations are established with International Trade Centre (UNCTAT/GATT), principal objectives of cooperation being the support of Tatarstan exportoriented enterprises through UN programmes.

Cooperation with UNITAR Centre for Heavy Crude and Tar sands is being developed.

The work is being conducted with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for financing several major investment projects.

Among the prospective tasks there is the search of opportunities and options for mutually beneficial cooperation with MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency), a group of the World Bank companies and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

With the aim to arrange the training for the enterprises and institutions of the Republic of Tatarstan in making business plans and increasing their management efficiency, the workshops are organised with participation of the foreign experts (International Finance Corporation, TACIS, British Government KnowHow Fund, Thomson University of France).

European Community through TACIS has allocated some funds to elaborate the Logistics Centre project allowed for creation of the international transhipment terminal specialising in warehousing, consignment and distribution.