The holding of the 3rd International Forum "SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutual Cooperation" was discussed at the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan

On August 12, a briefing on the holding of the 3rd International Forum "SPROUTS: Russia-China – Mutual Cooperation", which will be held on August 18-19 in Kazan, was held at the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan

The meeting was attended by Taliya Minullina, Chief Executive of the Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan, Xiang Bo, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kazan, Farit Hanifov, Minister of Transport and Roads of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vladimir Leonov, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan, German Lerner, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustem Gainullov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Damir Nafullin, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The briefing was opened by Taliya Minullina, Chief Executive of the Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan. She noted that the Forum is one of the largest events within the framework of Russian-Chinese relations, which brings together representatives of business, government, culture, and education from both countries.

"Today, the Forum is a stable and popular platform where participants discuss practical issues of interregional cooperation, trade, and investment, as well as exchange experience and technologies. These are all real projects," said Taliya Minullina.

According to the Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, delegates from 59 Russian regions, 32 countries, and 24 territorial administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China have already registered for the forum, and 11 government delegations have confirmed their participation. The organisers expect approximately 10,000 participants to attend the forum, which is on par with the 2024 edition. The main venue will be the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center.

The business programme includes such areas as interstate dialogue, economics, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism, and construction. The plenary session "Time-Tested Partnership: A Course for the Future" is scheduled for August 19. The programme includes approximately 100 events, including 70 business sessions. The forum is expected to conclude approximately 20 agreements.

The forum will include the presentation of the BRICS and SCO International Young Leaders Award, a round table with the participation of Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, and the opening of the Investment Promotion Center from China, attended by Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation.

At the Russia China Expo exhibition with an area of 10,000 sq. m. Industrial, agricultural, and logistics companies will be represented, including stands of enterprises from China.

Xiang Bo, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kazan, noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the Chinese Embassy in Russia, and the local authorities in China are paying great attention and actively supporting the forum. The Consulate General in the capital of Tatarstan has included it among the key objectives for this year.

German Lerner, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Republic, said that more than 200 Chinese companies, including major corporations in the fields of logistics, engineering, construction, and the oil and gas industry, have expressed interest in the event. The forum's participants also include major enterprises from Tatarstan, such as Tatneft, Eidos, Nefis Cosmetics, Tatenergo, the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, Tatspirtprom, and many others. The Deputy Minister reminded the audience that the Dragon Boat Competition, a Chinese-style boat race, will take place on August 17 in the Lower Kaban Lake. Currently, 18 teams have confirmed their participation.

In his speech, Farit Khanifov, the Minister of Transport and Road Management of the Republic of Tatarstan, spoke about the functionality of the logistics centers of the Republic of Tatarstan, in particular about the work of the Sviyazhsk Interregional Multimodal Logistics Center and the logistics complex named after Deng Xiaoping. The development of inter-country transport corridors will be one of the key issues in the discussion of the sessions of the business programme of the forum.

Rustem Gaynullov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic, said that within the framework of the forum, seven agricultural companies of the Republic of Tatarstan will participate in the Russia China Expo. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan will organise a session where experts and government representatives will discuss trade in agricultural products between Russia and China, including logistics, certification, and government support measures for exporters.

Vladimir Leonov, Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan, spoke about the events planned as part of the forum. On August 17, there will be a charity golf tournament for the Cup of the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and an evening table tennis tournament for amateurs; on August 18, there will be an international "Friendly chess tournament between the teams of sister cities and partner cities of Russia and China".

The Deputy Minister of Culture of Tatarstan, Damir Natfullin, noted that during the forum, there will be performances, film screenings, exhibitions, as well as a "Cross-Cultural Zone" at the Kazan Expo.

More detailed information and the programme of the SPROUTS Forum can be found on the website: https://russiachinaforum.com

The Directorate of International Programmes is the operator for the preparation and holding of the SPROUTS Forum.