KAZAN, June 17 — Malaysia and Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan have vast potential to cooperate more broadly in various fields, including trade, investment, education, tourism, the halal industry, technology and talent development, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this was discussed during a bilateral meeting with Tatarstan Rais Rustam Minnikhanov, shortly after Anwar’s arrival here yesterday.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the energy sector was among key areas of discussion, given that Tatarstan is a major oil-producing region in Russia.
“Upon arrival in Kazan, I met with my friend and the rais, or head, of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, to exchange views on bilateral relations and cooperation opportunities that could be explored for the benefit of both sides.
“We see broad opportunities for cooperation in the oil and gas industry, including downstream activities, refining and petrochemicals,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Anwar said he and Minnikhanov also discussed the role of the Kazan Forum in strengthening business ties while creating new opportunities in innovation, the digital economy and strategic investments.
“May this meeting further strengthen relations between Malaysia and Tatarstan and open more opportunities for cooperation that bring tangible benefits to the people and economies of both sides,” he said.
Anwar also expressed congratulations for Kazan on its recognition as the Islamic World Cultural Capital 2026 by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, reflecting the city’s role as a centre of Islamic scholarship, culture and innovation.
He also expressed appreciation for President Vladimir Putin’s establishment of the Strategic Vision Group, which is an important bridge between Russia and the Islamic world to strengthen dialogue and meaningful cooperation.
Anwar arrived in Kazan for a two-day working visit to the capital and largest city of Tatarstan, to attend the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, which starts today.
The special aircraft carrying Anwar landed at Kazan International Airport at 10.20pm local time (3.20am today, Malaysian time).
He was accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, and officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry.
The ASEAN-Russia Summit reflects a relationship that has grown significantly since dialogue relations were established in 1991.
Russia became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 1996 and a Strategic Partner in 2018, underscoring both sides’ commitment to expanding cooperation in political and security, economic, and sociocultural fields.
Located at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka rivers in the European part of Russia, about 800km east of Moscow, Kazan has a population of around 1.3 million and is often referred to as Russia’s third capital after Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
The city has a history spanning more than 1,000 years and is widely recognised as one of Russia’s most important centres of Islamic culture and heritage.
