Tatarstan and Germany: strategic partnership

On September 12, 2016, the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Ms. Taliya Minullina took part in the meeting with top management of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), held in Frankfurt on the Main at Engineering Federation headquarters.

The meeting was held in the framework of the official visit of the members of the Republic of Tatarstan in Federal Republic of Germany represented by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Mr.Rustam Minnikhanov and the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Ms.Taliya Minullina.

The CEO of German Engineering Federation Mr.Tilo Bordmann opened the meeting with welcoming remarks and reported that engineering is one of the most important industries in Germany, its income is €218 billion, nearly 1 million people are employed in this sphere. Traditionally, small and medium-sized enterprises with less than 200 employees prevail. Rustam Minnikhanov, in turn, welcoming the representatives of German Engineering Federation, said that there is no doubt that German heavy engineering sector is one of the best in the world and the Republic of Tatarstan is interested in adoption of its experience.

During the meeting the parties discussed the areas of further cooperation, the most prospective of which are: development of cooperation in the sphere of energy and petrochemistry, automotive and aircraft industry, mechanical engineering, partnership-building between indurstries of Tatarstan and Federal Republic of Germany in the spheres of IT, agribusiness, engineering, medicine, construction sector and others.

The Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Ms.Taliya Minullina made a presentation of investment opportunities for the German companies, highlighting that Tatarstan is the best point for entry into the Russian market.

«The Russian market has a long history of a successful welcoming of German large business, — the Head of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency Ms.Taliya Minullina noted. — As for foreign small and medium-sized enterprises, Russian regions do not have enough experience in this area. German Engineering Federation brings together more than 3 thousand companies, which could localize manufacturing in our country. Since the best investment environment is in Tatarstan, such collaboration appears logical».

Concluding the meeting, Mr.Rustam Minnikhanov invited the leaders of German Engineering Federation to visit the exhibition of Mechanical Engineering in December, 2016 in Kazan. «The delegation of Engineering Federation is ready to visit Tatarstan» — Mr.Tilo Brodmann said.

Also, as a part of a working visit, the representatives of Tatarstan attended the exhibition «Automechanika — 2016», held at the Messe Frankfurt. The paid special attention to stands of such companies as: ZF Friedrichshafen (the vehicle drive and suspension systems), Hella (lighting and electronic systems), ThyssenKrupp Bilstein (shock absorbers), Bosch (network mobile services) and others.

For reference:

*The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) is one of the largest associations bringing together companies of the engineering industry in Europe. Founded in 1892, VDMA is a non-commercial partnership, with about 400 employees, and members of over 3000 companies. The Federation works in all spheres of engineering sector of the economy and represents the interests of medium and small enterprises within and beyond Germany. VDMA is headquartered in Frankfurt on the Main. A network of regional offices has covered eight various federal states of Germany and also some capitals of the world, such as Berlin, Brussels, Beijing, Shanghai, Kolkata and Tokyo.

** Automechanika is the leading international exhibition of automotive equipment, auto components and service maintenance. The exhibition is held biannually. Exhibition space: 300 000 sq.m. Participants: more than 4000 from over 80 countries around the world. «Automechanika» is one of the most successful brands among Messe Frankfurt exhibitions. «Automechanika» is a meeting point of all the market participants in the sphere of automotive industry and trade and represents an important platform for technological exchange and knowledge transfer. The exhibition is unique according to the range of services and products presented and innovative solutions.