One of the Republic’s main cities is now making a serious bid to become the ‘third capital’. This beautiful metropolis of 1.3 million people is increasingly being mentioned in connection with the hosting of major international events. Most recently, in February, the city hosted the major ‘Games of the Future’ – the first world championship in cybersports. And now, once again, a large number of foreign delegations have descended on the city. The reason is the International Economic Forum.
The event kicked off on Tuesday 14 May with a programme of 125 thematic sessions in a dozen different fields: from economics to tourism, from business to science, from modern technology to fashion, from Islamic finance to investment, from sport to commerce, from culture to gastronomy. The event is expected to attract 18,000 participants from 85 countries: Turkey, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Libya, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Senegal, Turkmenistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan and others. Leading specialists from the regions and countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) were invited as experts to the meetings.
Today, such contacts are of the utmost importance. It is not surprising that a native of this industrially developed and oil-rich republic has been appointed to oversee the organisation of the Forum (it has federal status) and monitor its progress.
The Forum will include an international conference of the Strategic Vision Group on the theme of a just multipolar world order and secure development. The International Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Islamic Countries and the Export Centre will hold their meetings. Meetings of intergovernmental commissions are also planned.
Delegates will meet in sessions dedicated to the development of multimodal transport corridors, tourism, export of halal products, economic security, partnership financing, industrial, technological, educational and cultural projects.
The main event, the plenary session, is scheduled for Friday 17 May. Experts will discuss the prospects of interaction between the countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in various fields and summarise the main results of the Forum.
Speaking at the launch of 2023, Sirajuddin Suhaimi, deputy director-general of Malaysia’s Islamic Development Department, said the country was ready to share its experience with halal market players. We will share our experiences and I am sure that these developments will benefit the halal industry and it will take its rightful place in the world. I am sure there are a large number of halal-certified products and ingredients that can be exported to global markets,’ said Suhaimi.
The programme also includes the Tenth OIC Young Entrepreneurs Forum, the OIC Young Diplomats Forum, presentations by various start-ups, a young chefs’ tournament and other interesting events. It is expected that the Forum will also include a conference on “The Role of UNESCO World Heritage in Sustainable Regional Development”, a meeting of the Strategic Vision Group, an International Exhibition on Halal Economic and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, an International Trade Fair Halal Market (4,500 halal goods from 72 accredited and specially certified companies), a Forum of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and a Festival of Decent Fashion Fashion Day. The latter event is worth mentioning separately – ten designers BURO BANU, Zuhat will present their collections at the fashion shows. Hany El Behairy (Egypt), Melinda Looi (Malaysia), MONIKA JUFRY (Indonesia), Dalinda Paris (France), Moda Safi (United Arab Emirates), Senegal Fashion Show (Senegal) and Nurzat Zheenbek (Kyrgyzstan) will also show their clothes at the Fashion Summit.
A separate block will showcase consumer goods producers, all under the common brand ‘Tatar Bazaars’. Visitors will be offered meat and grain products, honey, medicinal herbs and spices, various sweets, fruits, clothes, souvenirs, etc Naa Songs.
