On May 14-15, 2026, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev visited the city of Kazan (Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation), where he participated in the XVII International Economic Forum "Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum 2026". The Kazakh delegation also included First Vice-Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aizhan Bizhanova, Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Kazan Yerlan Iskakov, representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and other government agencies.
Within the framework of the forum, a number of bilateral meetings and business events were held, aimed at strengthening trade, economic, investment, and interregional cooperation between Kazakhstan and the regions of the Russian Federation and the countries of the Islamic world.
During the visit, A. Shakkaliyev held meetings with Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan R. Minnikhanov, Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Mordovia B. Emeyev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Chuvash Republic S. Artamonov, as well as representatives of business circles. The parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of investment interaction and the expansion of interregional ties between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.
The Minister also visited the international real estate exhibition and conference "International Property Market" and participated in the plenary session "Artificial Intelligence – New Efficiency in the Construction Industry", where issues of implementing digital solutions, modern technologies, and increasing the efficiency of the construction industry were considered.
Special attention within the forum was given to the development of the Islamic economy and the Halal industry. Kazakhstan confirmed its interest in expanding the presence of domestic Halal products in foreign markets, developing relevant infrastructure, standardization, and strengthening cooperation with the countries of the Islamic world. It was noted that Kazakhstan considers the Halal industry as one of the promising areas for the development of non-resource exports and attracting investments.
During his stay in Kazan, A. Shakkaliyev also gave interviews to the news agencies ITAR-TASS, "Khabar", and "Kazinform", in which he emphasized the importance of further strengthening trade and economic cooperation, developing investment interaction, and expanding interregional ties between Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.
The participation of the Kazakh delegation in KazanForum 2026 contributed to the expansion of business contacts, the promotion of Kazakhstan's economic potential, as well as the strengthening of practical cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, the Halal industry, digitalization, logistics, and industry.
