The ties between Qatar and the Republic of Tatarstan witnessed significant growth in the last one decade at multiple levels as a result of mutual visits by officials of Qatar and Tatarstan and holding of economic forums. They seek to strengthen relations, particularly in the energy sector.
Tatarstan is one of the federal entities in the Russian Federation. It has mineral and agricultural resources in abundance. It is one of oil and petrochemical producing regions in Russia, with an oil pipeline connected to the Eastern Europe. Besides, it has natural gas and gypsum and the industrial production constitutes 30% of the Tatarstan’s gross domestic product.
The current visit of President of Tatarstan H E Rustam Minnikhanov to Doha reflects Tatarstan and Qatar’s commitment to deepening cooperation. H E Minnikhanov visited Qatar also in 2022 and 2015. Qatar participated in the 14th International Economic Forum, ‘Russia the Islamic World: Kazan Forum 2023’ held in Kazan City in May 2023 with a delegation led by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry H E Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater. He highlighted during the forum investment opportunities for Qatari companies in Tatarstan and the opportunities available in Qatar for investment by businessmen and owners of companies
About one month later, the forum was followed by the convention of the International Forum of Education Ministers in Kazan. Qatar participated with a high-ranking delegation led by Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi.
The relations between Qatar and Tatarstan have evolved significantly since 2013 when Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani met with Chief Executive of Tatarstan Investment Development Agency H E Linar Yakupov and the accompanying delegation. The two sides discussed avenues for trade and investment cooperation, especially in food and agriculture.
Sheikh Faisal stressed the interest of Qatari businessmen in capitalising on investment opportunities in Tatarstan and launching projects in a number of sectors.
In 2015, Qatar Chamber and Tatarstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the meeting organised by the Qatar Chamber with the Tatarstan delegation members, who were visiting Doha, headed by Tatarstan’s President Rustam Minnikhanov. Qatar Chamber Vice-President Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari and Chairman of the Board, Tatarstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shamil Ageyev signed the MoU.
