KazanForum 2024 to be held in Tatarstan in May

By Handan Kazanci and Mert Davut

ISTANBUL (AA) - KazanForum 2024, one of Russia’s premier international economic gatherings, is slated to take place in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, between May 14 and 19, the organizers announced on Monday.

With Anadolu as its global communication partner, the Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2024 aims to convene leading international economic and financial specialists from the Islamic world.

The forum aims to strengthen ties between the countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the regions of the Russian Federation in the economic, educational, social and cultural spheres. It also promotes the development of Islamic financial system institutions in Russia and worldwide, with a focus on the implementation of joint international projects and programs.

The forum's primary subjects cover Islamic finance, investment, industry, small and medium-sized businesses, diplomacy, international cooperation, technology, tourism, and medicine and sports.

The chiefs of major broadcasting companies and national news agencies from the Russian Federation and the OIC will be present at special media events held during the forum.

This year, the forum will also host the Russia Halal Expo business fair, where halal products, services, investment, and infrastructure projects will be showcased.

Commenting on the forum, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin stated that he anticipates the same level of interest from countries representing the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Middle East, Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa as was seen last year.

Over 200 activities took place at the forum last year, setting a record that saw the signing of over 130 agreements.

For his part, Tatarstan's Head of State and Deputy Chairman of the KazanForum organizing committee, Rustam Minnikhanov, said the fifteenth KazanForum demonstrates Russia's readiness for dialogue with Islamic countries.

He said the forum would ensure Russia and the OIC countries have the opportunity to cultivate trade relations, facilitate more discussions on the operation of the Islamic financial system between specialists and businesspeople, and allow for more opportunities for foreign direct investment.

Last year, KazanForum hosted more than 16,000 visitors from 80 countries, out of which 57 are members of the OIC.

The forum was granted federal status by a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, making it one of the three largest in terms of number of participants and importance among the international economic forums held annually in the region, along with the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.