25 April 2000
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Kyrgyz Delegation Visits Tatarstan
A government delegation from Kyrgyzstan headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Boris Silayev arrived in Tatarstan on 24 April, Tatar-inform reported. The three-day visit is focused on restoring and establishing business contacts. The heads of leading Kyrgyz companies and representatives from businesses in the delegation are expected to meet the Tatar premier and to visit Tatarstan�s main petrochemical and machine building enterprises such as Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Nizhnekamskshina, and YelAZ. They are scheduled to familiarize themselves with the activity in Tatarstan�s off-shore zone Alabuga.
The press service of the Trade and Economic Cooperation Ministry reported that trade turnover between Tatarstan and Kyrgyzstan dropped last year by 1.5 times compared to the previous year. Among the goods being exported from Tatarstan, the share of tires decreased while the percentage held by machines rose.
Finnish Business Forum To Be Held In Tatarstan
Preparations for a Finnish Business Forum due to be held in Kazan in May is to be discussed during an upcoming visit by Finnish officials to Tatarstan, Tatar-inform reported. The adviser to the Finnish embassy in Russia, Anniki Khalko, and a manager and head of the project Finbusiness, Iorma Iokkinen, are scheduled to meet journalists on 27 April to discuss the aims of the project and its planning.
The idea to hold a Finnish Business Forum in Tatarstan was approved during a visit by Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev to Finland last autumn. It will take place on 16-18 May and include a technology exhibition as well as exhibits on equipment and production from some 80 Finnish companies.
UNESCO Officials Attend Culture Of Peace Days In Tatarstan
David Adams, the worldwide coordinator of the UNESCO program "Culture of Peace," and the director of UNESCO in Russia, Wolfgang Reuter, visited Tatarstan to participate in the "Days of Cultural Peace," Tatar radio reported on 24 April. They also held a number of roundtables and seminars for students. Adams told the radio station that people in Tatarstan "have a secret [way] of living in patience between Russians and Tatars, Christians and Muslims, [and] of avoiding violence."
KamAZ Team Wins Race
Tatarstan's racing team representing the KamAZ truck concern won the African rally Optic 2000, Tatar-inform reported on 24 April. It is the fourth straight victory for the team. The next competition is the World Cup 2000.
Compiled by Gulnara Khasanova