Record Participation At Kazanforum 2024 Highlights Strengthening Russia-oic Economic Ties

By Rohani Ibrahim

KAZAN (Tatarstan, Russia), May 18 (Bernama) -- The 15th International Economic Forum 'Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum' 2024, an international forum of Russia and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, attracted 25 per cent more participants than last year.

KazanForum secretariat, in a statement, said the forum this year attracted 20,000 participants from 87 countries involving 40 diplomatic missions.

Last year, a total of 16,223  participants attended the forum.

“About 180 events took place within the framework of the forum. The result was the conclusion of 120 agreements,” the statement read.

According to the statement, expert participants spoke about new opportunities and advantages in finance and logistics that cooperation between Russia and the OIC countries offers.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said Russia's trade turnover with OIC countries has increased by 31 per cent. 

In the development of trade, he noted the special importance of the construction of the international transport corridor "North-South" (includes railway, water and road routes through the Caspian region), along some branches of which cargoes are already actively flowing.

"We have a number of agreements signed with Iran - both on railway communication and road transport. We are very actively working to find additional logistics opportunities with the Gulf countries. 

“A good, solid delegation with people who make decisions has arrived. We will definitely build routes alternative to the Suez Canal", he assured.

Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov said the position of the Russian leadership also plays a big role in the development of relations with the countries of the Islamic World. 

In 2003, the president recommended that Russia be part of the OIC observers, which led to the creation of the annual KazanForum.

"Such strategic issues as the North-South corridor, Islamic banking, halal lifestyle, expansion of our tourist contacts - all this comes with the support of the leadership of our country, our president," he added. 

-- BERNAMA