Supporting Information

TATARSTAN-USA COOPERATION

 
Development of relations with the USA is one of priorities in Tatarstan’s international activities. Main spheres for cooperation are advanced technologies (modernization of Tatarstan’s petrochemical complex, fixed-winged aircraft and helicopter construction, machine engineering, telecommunications, innovation cooperation) and investment.

The President of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mintimer Shaimiev, visited the USA in May 1992 and October 1994. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, was to the US in 2003 and 2008.

RT President Mintimer Shaimiev met with US President Bill Clinton in Moscow in October 1998.

Governor of the State of Colorado (USA), Bill Owens visited Tatarstan in January 2003.

There were a number of visits of US Ambassador to Russia: Thomas R. Pickering (August 1994), James Franklin Collins (December 1999, March 2001), Alexander R. Vershbow (March 2002, June 2005), William Joseph Burns (February 2006), John Beyrle (June 2009).

The Representation of the Republic of Tatarstan in the US was opened in January 1994. From 2005, the Trade Representative is Ravil Nigmedzyanov.

The American centre under the RT National Library operates in Kazan. The RT Government maintains contacts with the State of Colorado. A number of memoranda and protocols on cooperation between the RT Government and several US companies are in effect. Between Kazan and US towns Brian and College Station in force is an agreement on twin relations.

There is also cooperation among ministries, agencies, organizations and universities (most active are Kazan State Power Engineering University and Kazan State University). Conducting joint conferences on federalism is another form of existing cooperation. Public organizations, universities and citizens of Tatarstan receive grants of US foundations.

As many as 323 thousand schoolchildren learn English in Tatarstan.

RT arts and amateur groups tour US cities.

US movies and actors took part in the 4th and 5th international Muslim film festivals Golden Minbar.

Economy

In 2008, the foreign trade turnover between Tatarstan and the USA totaled $180.1 million, that is, the 23th place among foreign trade partner countries of Tatarstan (the highest figure for all years), with the proportion of Tatarstan exports being 51.3%. The turnover of services was $4.7 million.

In the 1st half of 2009, US-Tatarstan commodity turnover totaled $94.4 million.

The major export commodities of Tatarstan to the USA are crude oil and oil products, synthetic rubbers, plywood, metals, and products of inorganic chemistry. Major imported goods are mechanical and electric equipment, optical devices, ground vehicles, tools, chemical products, and technologies.

In 2008, an aggregate of $1.16 million of investment was received from the USA (of which 91% are direct investments) to the sectors of crude oil and oil well gas production, hotel and restaurant business. By early 2009, Tatarstan has accumulated $156 million of investment from the USA (of which 86.4% are direct investments).

A total of 42 joint venture companies with participation of US partners operate in Tatarstan (TAIF, Tatekh, Columbia, CityPay, JVC Cummins Kama, etc.).On October 6, 2009, a joint venture company between US-based Federal Mogul Corporation (world leader in the sleeve assembly production) and OAO KAMAZ was launched. Jointly with Johnson&Johnson the Kazan Teaching Center of High Medical Technologies was opened.

In October 2009, Coca-Cola became one of the potential partners of Kazan Universiade 2013.

Lives of a number of famous personalities born in Kazan were connected to the USA; among them are the singer Feodor Chaliapin who visited the USA for over 10 times and the artist Nikolai Feshin who moved to the USA in 1923.