19 April 1999
DAILY REVIEW FROM TATARSTAN
Minnikhanov Visits Moscow
Tatarstan's prime minister, Rustam Minnikhanov, visited Moscow on 15 April, the republican press reported. Minnikhanov reportedly met with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Gennadii Kulik to discuss the development of the republic's agriculture. On the same day, Minnikhanov reached an agreement with SBS-Agro Bank granting favorable loans to agricultural companies in Tatarstan. While in Moscow, Minnikhanov met with the chief of the federal tax service, Georgii Boos, in an effort to resolve problems associated with the collection of federal taxes in Tatarstan.
New Contracts To Stimulate Plane Production
The Kazan Aircraft Plant (KAP) is about to sign contracts for the delivery of two TU-214 passenger airplanes to unspecified purchasers, Tatarinform reported on 19 April. The deputy general-director of KAP, Ruslan Shpilkin, told reporters that the deals would "hopefully mark the start of reviving [KAP] from its current crisis." According to republican media, within the last two years only a few new TU-214s were sold by KAP, even though it is reported to be one of the most economical and reliable new Russian airplanes.
Tatarstan Participates In Hannover Messe-99
Tatar State Council chairman Farit Mukhametshin left for Hannover on 15 April to attend the city's trade exhibition, Tatarinform reported. Mukhametshin was accompanied by Tatarstan's minister of international cooperation and trade, Hafiz Salikhov. An official from Tatarstan's agency for international cooperation and development told an RFE/RL correspondent the same day that the republic would show its unique surgical instruments at the fair. The same instruments that were used to operate on Russian President Boris Yeltsin's heart in 1997.
New Regional Leader Appointed
Rinat Fardiyev, 43, was named to head the Zey region's administration on 16 April, the press center of Tatarstan's State Council reported. Fardiyev previously served as a director at Zey's sugar factory. Fardiyev will replace former administration head Rinat Khamadeev, who was recently named mayor of Chally.
Compiled by Iskender Nurmi