Tatarstan eyes collaboration with India in pharma, chemicals, fertilisers

Tatarstan (a subject of the Russian Federation) is eyeing for a strong tie up with Indian companies in the fields of chemicals and petrochemicals, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals. In this regard, Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan President, met Anantha Kumar, Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, on November 18, 2014, to explore cooperation in the sphere of chemicals and petrochemicals, and supply of fertilisers.
 
For better coordination, a joint working group (JWG) will be formed within a week comprising representatives of all three streams of his ministry, namely, Department of Fertilizers, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and Department of Pharmaceuticals and representatives of Tatarstan. JWG will cull out issues concerning promotion of trade, strengthening of bilateral relations and exploring possibilities for training and research work for the personnel working in this field.
 
India is exploring possibility of long-term agreement for import of potash, phosphate and natural gas of which Russia has huge reserves. India has set up a few joint ventures in various countries for sourcing finished fertilisers as well as raw materials. A couple of joint venture projects for setting up urea-ammonia plants and raw materials are planned, said Anantha Kumar.
 
According to Minnikhanov, healthcare is one of perspective areas of cooperation, because India is a large producer of pharmaceuticals in the world.
 
Tatarstan-India trade turnover has more than doubled in 2013 as compared to 2012 to about $ 900 million. Tatarstan mainly supplies helicopters, Kamaz trucks, petrochemicals, rubber, mechanical and electrical equipment to India, while Indian exports tea, coffee, spices, textile, pharmaceuticals and other products to Tatarstan.
 
"We have a lot of opportunities for cooperation, primarily in the economic sphere. Unfortunately, we do not make use of their full potential," said Minnikhanov, while speaking at the Tatarstan-India Business Forum in New Delhi.
 
Among the priority areas for cooperation, he mentioned, oil refining and petrochemicals, machine and machine tool building, helicopter industry, automotive industry and production of automotive components, IT and other high-tech technology, pharmaceuticals, as well as science, education, etc.