A visit to the Country of the Rising Sun

Last Sunday, on October 2, the delegation of Russian Federation made a working visit to Japan headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Russian Federation Arkady Dvorkovich to take part in Science and Technology in Society (STS forum-2016) forum, which will last until October 4. The delegation also included Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, Taliya Minullina, representatives of Ministries and Departments.

An official opening ceremony was held in Kyoto International Conference Center Takaragaike. More than 1000 people took part in the event. This year, honorary guests of the event were Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Slovenia Miroslav Cerar, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich and other officials.

The founder Koji Omi of the Science and Technology in Society (STS forum-2016) forum made a greeting speech to its participants. He noted that the forum was founded in 2004 as a platform for open discussions on an informal basis, which helps to solve global issues by using of science and technology.

Addressing the guests and participants, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe said, that science and technology should facilitate the development and change the society all over the world. That is why our government chose long-term development of science and technologies as a priority area.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich in his welcoming remarks said that development of relations between Russia and Japan in the sphere of science, technologies and innovations is a part of successful implementation of the plan of economic cooperation.

During the forum, the delegation of Russian Federation took part in a series of negotiations. One of them became the meeting with the Secretary of Ministry of Education and Research of Germany Georg Schutte, where the parties discussed the level of relationship and plans for further cooperation. During the meeting with the Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation of Ireland Mr. John Halligan, the President of Tatarstan expressed his opinion about the possibility of international exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of education and science. Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan has successful experience of implementing venture capital, innovation and start-up projects. Also the negotiations with «Yokogawa Electric» took place where the parties considered issues of cooperation with Innopolis University in developing software applications of high-tech solutions for oil refinery and petrochemical plants were held. The outcome of the meeting was the signing of the protocol of intentions between the Republic of Tatarstan and «Yokogawa Electric», which will identify the course of cooperation for the next 3 years.

Within the framework of the forum, the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, Ms. Taliya Minullina, took part in the the work of 4 sections such as: «Future Prospects of Oil and Gas», «Big Data», «New Manufacturing Technologies», «Science and Technology in Developing Countries» and in three panel discussions. Moreover, target meetings took place including such companies as «Shell», «Honeywell», «Airbus», " Mitsubishi Heavy Industries«. Also negotiations with delegations of Thailand Development Research Institute, University of California, Portugal Private Innovation Center, Netherlands Research Center were performed. During the meeting with the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia, the latter expressed the desire to visit the Republic of Tatarstan in the nearest future.

It should be mentioned, that cooperation between Japan and Tatarstan is flourishing. Last month the VI session of Russia-Japan Advisory Council on Modernization of the Russian economy was held. Before that, a business mission of 24 representatives of the leading Japanese enterprises and the forum «Tatarstan — Japan: Investment Future» took place.

In Tatarstan, some joint projects are undertaken with the participation of companies from Japan, such as «Ammoni» with participation of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Sojitz. «Eidos» company supplies Japan with medical simulators, where starting doctors learn to provide medical care for patients. One of collaborative projects is manufacturing of medium trucks by Public Company «KAMAZ» and Mitsubishi FUSO, with the output of 4 100 vehicles per year.

For the second consecutive year, the delegation of Tatarstan takes part in Science and Technology in Society (STS forum-2016) forum, where dignitaries of the world academic community gather. It a good opportunity for us to attract research centers, scientific research results, development laboratories, innovating and engineering institutes to work in Tatarstan. This is about partnership and collaborative development. Chairman and founder of the forum is planning to come to Tatarstan in a frame of working visit to discuss the possibility of holding the forum in our republic" — the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Taliya Minullina said.