Artyom Zdunov on the results of the KazanForum: "We're coming here to attract investors to Mordovia"
On May 15, Artyom Zdunov, Head of Mordovia, took part in the plenary session of the 2026 International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum." Its main theme was "From Points on the Map to Points of Growth: Combining Technological and Financial Initiatives."
Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum," emphasized: "Today, Russia is a country with a population of over 150 million people, comprising 89 regions and 153,000 settlements. Since 2022, the country's development priorities have shifted – we are more focused on the East, the Pacific region, and Asia. This has significantly impacted all our plans. Muslim countries are our strategic partners. We all face the same development challenges, so let's share experiences so that the people of our countries can live prosperous and fulfilling lives."
The Deputy Prime Minister spoke in detail about the implementation of the national project "Infrastructure for Life" in the country, covering the construction industry and the development of housing, social, network, and transport infrastructure.
Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan and Chairman of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group, noted the importance of holding the International Forum, stating that its program includes approximately 150 events attended by representatives of nearly 100 countries, government agencies and regions of Russia, and businesses.
"The Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is an important benchmark for strengthening interethnic harmony and cultural development," he said.
The speakers' reports at the plenary session focused on the transition from geographic interaction to the formation of sustainable "growth points" through the synergy of technological solutions and modern financial instruments, including partner financing.
The discussion will result in the development of recommendations for expanding economic cooperation and developing new investment initiatives.
Commenting on the results of the Mordovia team's work at the International Economic Forum, Artem Zdunov noted that the republic's delegation traditionally attends the forum to attract investors to the region: "We met with major investors, and our manufacturers presented their products. We are working on our projects and filling the special economic zone. Today, we organized a full-fledged international trade mission. All our meetings—with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates—were aimed at selling the products of our industrial and processing companies. Our main areas of focus were lighting equipment, pharmaceuticals, and meat products. We also developed logistics routes.
At a meeting with KAMAZ management, we discussed purchasing vehicles for our family taxi service—we lack seven-seater vehicles for large families. We agreed that the delivery would take place because people are asking for more family taxis in Saransk. And, of course, we discussed supplies from our companies to KAMAZ—Verstakoff and the Instrument-Making Plant. Overall, the agenda was very businesslike: little politics, plenty of economics!"
Source: Press Service of the Head of the Republic of Mordovia