Airat Farrakhov: Tatarstan and China Have a Fantastic Potential for Developing Cooperation

China and Russia need each other and will work together to shape the future world order. This was stated to journalists by Airat Farrakhov, a Deputy of the Russian State Duma and member of the Budget and Tax Committee, during the III International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”.

According to the State Duma deputy, cooperation between the Republic of Tatarstan and the People’s Republic of China has a “fantastic” potential for development. “China has enormous expertise in technology and science, and we have a huge market and a desire to move forward together,” said Airat Farrakhov.

As an example, he cited a project by Chinese investors, which was presented to Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, at the SPROUTS forum on August 18, 2025. This is an auto parts factory in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone and ceramic products manufacturing facility in Innopolis. The investment will amount to 1.5 billion rubles. One hundred and fifty jobs will be created.

Work on the project began in 2024. Chinese investors, Airat Farrakhov noted, pointed out that the region provided them with comfortable conditions for implementing projects, various preferences, and, in general, everyone in Tatarstan provided comprehensive support. A representative of the Chinese investment company called Tatarstan a unique point of entry into the Russian market. The State Duma deputy expressed his confidence that the republic had secured a position as a gateway for Chinese businesses to enter the market of the country.

“After last year's SPROUTS forum, I found some Chinese investors who wanted to increase the level of trust (this is a key factor) and implement a large-scale innovative project. We found a site, they became residents of Alabuga, and I asked Rustam Minnikhanov to meet with these investors. And on August 18, a huge robotic plant arrived at the grounds of the special economic zone and was cleared through the customs. Starting tomorrow, eight highly qualified engineers will arrive to install the equipment. The enterprise will manufacture products for the automotive industry — this is complete import substitution,” said the deputy.

In addition to the facilities in Alabuga and Innopolis, work is currently underway to launch three more projects in Tatarstan and Chuvashia. “We have a lot of work ahead of us,” said the deputy.

Airat Farrakhov also pointed out that the republic is a leader in Russia in the production of milk and dairy products, which are also in high demand in China. Russia could benefit from China’s experience, for example, in reforming its healthcare system, which has resulted in life expectancy reaching 78.6 years, 5-6 years higher than in Russia. Airat Farrakhov underlined that Chinese universities are now a hub for the best specialists.

“The Rais of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, repeatedly emphasized during the first day of the SPROUTS forum that we are constantly learning from each other, and this is a very important message,” stressed the lawmaker.

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The Third International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” will be held in Kazan on August 18-19. Participants from 32 countries, 59 regions of Russia, and 24 administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China have registered for the forum. Eleven government delegations and at least 200 Chinese corporations are expected to attend. Approximately 10,000 people will participate in the forum.
The business program covers areas such as inter-state dialogue, economics, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism, and construction. The program features around 100 events, including 70 business sessions. Around 20 agreements are planned to be signed at the forum.
ANPO Directorate of International Programmes is the operator responsible for preparing and holding the SPROUTS Forum.
Official website of the SPROUTS Forum: https://russiachinaforum.com