PUTRAJAYA: The
Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation is keen to explore potential
collaboration in various sectors with Malaysia, especially the halal industry
and Islamic banking, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said yesterday.
He
said Tatarstan, a semi-autonomous region within the Russian Federation and one
of Russia’s biggest Muslim regions with about 18 million population, had great
potential for the halal industry.
“We
have discussed a variety of issues, and I think there’s great potential for
Tatarstan and Malaysia to work together in trade and investment, especially in
the halal industry, Islamic banking, tourism and higher education.
“Besides
that, the republic is keen to work closely with Malaysia in oil and gas, infrastructure,
energy and manufacturing of helicopters. They have urged us to look further
into this,” he told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Tatarstan
President, Rustam Minnikhanov, at Wisma Putra, here, yesterday.
Minnikhanov
leads a delegation of 40 businessmen, and education and government officials
for a three-day official visit to Malaysia, starting yesterday.
The
visit will play an important role towards strengthening the trajectory of
bilateral collaboration set during Minnikhanov’s last visit to Malaysia in
2010.
On
higher education, Anifah said Tatarstan invited Malaysian students to study
medicine in Kazan, the capital and largest city of the republic.
“They
are very advanced in medical studies and the president suggested that we send
some of our medical students to Kazan,” he said.
Anifah
said Tatarstan also hoped to have direct flights to Kuala Lumpur to boost the
tourism sector for both countries.
Foreign
investment from Malaysia into Tatarstan increased from US$741,100 to US$950,000
in 2011. The three quarters of 2012 saw US$568,000 investment into Tatarstan
from Malaysia.
Last
year, Tatarstan attracted US$420 million of foreign investment, of which US$334
million was foreign direct investment.
The
republic, with a population of 3.8 million, boasts nearly 1,300 companies with
the participation of foreign capital, of which more than 600 are completely
owned by foreign investors.
(Berneo Post Online / 09 Jan 2013)
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Alfalah Consulting - Kuala Lumpur: www.alfalahconsulting.com
Islamic Investment Malaysia: www.islamic-invest-malaysia.com
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