Articles

PARTNERSHIP AS AN ECOSYSTEM

KazanForum is an infrastructure for elaborating substantive economic decisions, launching investment projects, and building long-term partnerships.

KAZANFORUM: GLOBAL COOPERATION PLATFORM

In recent years, the International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum” has evolved in a way that might be described as indicative of the current international agenda—from a regional initiative into a key federal platform shaping Russia’s strategy for engagement with the Islamic world.
Following a decree by Russian President Putin of January 17, 2023, the International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum” was bestowed federal status. This milestone proved pivotal in its development, transforming it into a federal level platform fully integrated into Russia’s foreign economic policy.
Today, the Forum has moved beyond being a mere business event—it now serves as an infrastructure for elaborating substantive economic decisions, launching investment projects, and building long-term partnerships.
Following the 2025 edition, KazanForum confirmed its standing as a truly global platform: the event brought together over 20,000 participants from 96 countries and 82 regions of Russia. These figures are underpinned by a profound process of building a sustainable partnership infrastructure between Russia and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Around 200 events took place within the Forum’s framework, resulting in 120 agreements and memoranda. A catalogue of investment projects was also compiled, tailored to partners from Islamic countries and taking into account Shariah financing requirements, thus opening access to a new pool of investors and financial instruments.
In this regard, 2026 is set to become pivotal for the Forum, as it will take place amid global economic shifts and changing international cooperative ties. What is more, Kazan has been designated the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World—a decision that strengthens the humanitarian dimension and brings it on par with the economic agenda.

GROUP OF STRATEGIC VISION AND TATARSTAN’S REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

A particular place in the Forum’s systematic development is held by the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia — Islamic World,” a unique format for international dialogue that brings together political leaders, business and expert communities. It is the Group that largely shapes the substantive foundation of the Forum, sets the vector of discussions and ensures continuity in decision-making.
A key role in developing this area falls to the Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, who, on the instruction of the Russian President, chairs the Group. His involvement ensures not only a high level of international representation but also the stability of engagement with partners built on personal trust and long-term collaboration.
In effect, Tatarstan today serves as the “entry point” for building Russia’s relations with the Islamic world. It is here that models of cooperation are put to the test, later to be scaled up to the federal level—be it in Islamic finance, the halal industry, or new investment mechanisms.

ISLAMIC FINANCE: FROM EXPERIMENT TO INSTITUTIONAL MODEL

A key area where KazanForum has acted not merely as a discussion platform but as a driver of systemic change is Islamic finance. In recent years, this sector in Russia has grown from pilot initiatives to a fully-fledged infrastructure integrated into the international financial system.
Twenty five local organisations are taking part in the experiment to introduce Islamic banking in four regions of Russia, Tatarstan included. In total, the relevant register of the Bank of Russia comprises 37 companies. Leading financial institutions— Sberbank, Ak Bars Bank and T-Bank— are actively developing specialised Islamic products.
The Republic of Tatarstan has become a focal point of the process, introducing partner banking—an experiment which has already demonstrated steady growth. In 2025, the volume of funds raised under Islamic financing reached nearly 35 billion roubles—a six-fold increase compared to before. Around 35 products for businesses and individuals have been developed. In 2025 alone, 56,000 Islamic cards were issued in the Republic, with the total since the experiment began standing at over 90,000. Meanwhile, 70,000 people have received training in Islamic finance.
A crucial stage in this institutionalisation has been the development of international cooperation. For the first time in Russia, the Forum hosted a conference of AAOIFI—the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions, which sets standards for Islamic financial institutions.
A logical follow-up to this work came with the opening, in late December 2025, of the first AAOIFI Representative Centre in Russia and the CIS, effectively cementing the city’s status as a focal point for the development of Islamic financial infrastructure across Eurasia.
At the same time, an educational and expert base is taking shape through specialised training programmes, dedicated centres of excellence, and dialogue among financial institutions, business and academia.
“Today, Tatarstan serves as the centre of gravity for building Russia’s relations with the Islamic world. It is here that models of cooperation are put to the test, later to be scaled up to the federal level,” says Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
That being said, the development of Islamic finance is seen as part of a broader strategy—that of diversifying the economy and expanding the tools for attracting investment from the Islamic world. The goal is not merely to achieve growth in indicators, but to forge a sustainable model for longterm development.

Notwithstanding the results achieved, the sector also faces new challenges: refining the regulatory framework, introducing instruments such as sukuk and takaful, and further adapting international standards to the Russian legal system.

HALAL INDUSTRY: ECONOMIC GROWTH POINT

One of the most dynamically developing areas of cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world is the halal industry. If just a few years ago it was seen as a narrow, specialised segment, today we are talking about a fully-fledged market with high export potential and sustained demand.
KazanForum has made a major contribution to this, becoming a platform where standards are shaped, supply chains are built, and direct contacts between producers and foreign partners set. It was at KazanForum that the halal industry received its systematic development—evolving from isolated initiatives into a comprehensive ecosystem.
According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, the volume of Russian exports of products certified to halal standards totalled USD 389 million by the end of 2025—a 3.5% increase compared to 2024. Since 2020, halal exports have grown 2.7 times. The largest consumers are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan, which together account for 87% of total exports.
The Republic of Tatarstan holds a leading position in this field, steadily developing the production of certified products across a wide range of sectors—from the agro-industrial complex and food processing to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. In 2025, the Republic’s halal exports reached USD 45 million, and in 2026 the figures are expected to grow up to USD 50 million. Emphasis is made not only on the domestic market but also on expanding its presence in the Islamic world.
At the same time, growing trust in the quality and transparency of production is becoming increasingly important. Uniform standards, the expansion of certification and the involvement of international organisations are enabling Russian companies to integrate into global supply chains and enter new markets.
In 1999, the Halal Standard Committee of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of the Republic of Tatarstan was established. Its certificates are recognised in 22 countries worldwide, which eases market access for Russian producers abroad. In March 2026, the Committee received state accreditation, allowing it to certify halal products according to the new state standards.
Today, halal is not just about food. It is a comprehensive industry including finance, tourism, medicine, logistics, and services. This cross-sectoral nature makes it one of the most promising growth drivers, particularly amid the expanding cooperation with the Islamic world, whose economies are rapidly developing.
In this respect, KazanForum serves as a platform for harmonising the interests of business, the state and international partners. Discussions go beyond production and exports: developing infrastructure, promoting brands, and creating new formats for cooperation.

EXPANDING HORIZONS

As the International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum” evolves, its geography expands markedly. Whereas in its early stages the Forum was focused primarily on individual countries of the Middle East and the CIS, today it brings together virtually all key regions of the Islamic world—from South East Asia to Africa.
A particular place in the Forum’s architecture is held by the Gulf states. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are not only important trade and economic partners but also a source of investment, technology, and financial expertise. Deepening engagement with these countries opens up new opportunities for infrastructure and industrial projects.
At the same time, engagement with the largest economies of the Islamic world in Asia—Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan—is also intensifying. These states boast considerable demographic and economic potential and are seen both as promising markets for Russian products, including the halal segment, and as partners in technology, education, and innovation.
Another vector is Africa. In recent years, the interest from Africa toward cooperating with Russia, including within the framework of the Forum, is steadily increasing.
Importantly, this is not merely a matter of expanding the geographical reach, but also of deepening the interaction. In this regard, KazanForum is evolving from a meeting point into a tool for integrating Russia into a new system of international economic ties, in which the countries of the Islamic world—as dynamically developing growth hubs—play a key role.

KAZANFORUM 2026

In 2026, the International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum” will, once and for all, consolidate its status as not merely a business platform, but as a comprehensive international event interweaving economy, culture, technology and humanitarian cooperation.
The major item on the agenda will once again be the expo format, with the Forum hosting several large-scale events, including the International Trade Fair “Kazan Halal Market,” the Russia & Islamic World Cooperation Expo, as well as an international real estate exhibition and conference. Such formats allow participants not only to discuss prospects for cooperation, but also to forge direct business contacts, present projects and find partners.
Particular attention will be paid to sector specific initiatives and professional dialogue. The programme includes the All-Russian Management Competition “Leaders of the Construction Industry,” thematic sessions and plenary meetings, including a debate on the role of AI in enhancing the performance of the construction industry. The practical dimension will be complemented by industrial tours, which will enable foreign partners to get acquainted with the region’s industrial and technological potential.
A substantial part of the programme will consist of intergovernmental events. Meetings are planned within bilateral commissions, including a session of the Russian-Indonesian Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation, as well as negotiations with Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
The centrepiece of the business programme will be the plenary session focused on the convergence of technological and financial initiatives as the basis for new growth points. Running concurrently will be a session of the Group of Strategic Vision “Russia — Islamic World,” and a meeting of ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary of foreign states to Russia.
High on the agenda will be the humanitarian and cultural track. The Forum will host the formal opening ceremony of the year of “Kazan — Cultural Capital of the Islamic World,” as well as the General Assembly of ICESCO and a congress of OIC culture ministers, thus expanding the Forum’s agenda far beyond economy and creating a platform for cultural and values-based dialogue.
The cultural programme will be supplemented by events focused on national identity and historical heritage. These include a festival of modest fashion, horse racing, the All-Russian Forum of Tatar Religious Leaders, tours of UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Kazan Kremlin and the island town of Sviyazhsk, as well as a trip to the ancient city of Bolgar, including events marking the conversion of Volga Bulgaria to Islam.
The upcoming International Economic Forum “Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum” is on an entirely new level: it is becoming a platform where the business, political and cultural agendas merge into a single ecosystem of interaction, forging lasting ties between countries and opening up new opportunities for international cooperation.
2026-05-06 17:40 Publications №8 ☪️ №8 2026 🔖 PUBLICATIONS KAZANFORUM