On the Second International Russian-German Congress on Logistics in the Republic of Tatarstan

On September 15-16, 2008, Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, will host the Second International Russian-German Congress on Logistics. The Congress will be organized by the Federal union of German logistics companies (BVL) with official support of the Transport Ministry of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan. The Republic of Tatarstan is a centre of a major industrial region of the Russian Federation at the crossroads of important transportation routes East-West and North-South, through the Volga and the Caspian Sea it has access to Central Asia and the countries along the Great Silk Road. Tatarstan is rich in natural resources and possesses a powerful diversified industry, a multi-level system of education, a high cultural and scientific potential and a highly qualified workforce. Inter-confession and inter-ethnic peace in the Republic is a prerequisite for stable development of economy and society. The Republic’s companies have created powerful brands in machine-building, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, light and aircraft industries. They manufacture highly competitive products that correspond to world standards. Information technologies and techno parks are actively developed in Tatarstan, socially relevant projects are being introduced.

According to the rate of socio-economic development, the Republic of Tatarstan occupies one of the leading positions in the Russian Federation, it produces a positive effect on macroeconomic indicators of the national economy. These factors are favorable for investments in the Republic, which increases opportunity for stable cooperation in implementing international projects , including those in the sphere of transportation. It is well known that in the contemporary system of barter trade, transportation has a key role. Efficiency of transport complex functioning, accessibility of transport facilities, are among of the most important parameters that determine quality of life and the level of economy development. International experience of using commercial and transport technologies shows that for securing traffic between national and international economic centers with minimal costs and maximum frequency, it is necessary to create logistic hubs in the areas where international transport routes cross and equip them with appropriate infrastructure. Therefore, the government of the Republic of Tatarstan attaches a special importance to developing elements of the transport logistics system in the region, attracting investments, innovations, aiming to expand the qualitative parameters of the transport system.

For this purpose, it is necessary to consider international achievements in transport technologies. Germany is generally accepted as the leader in development of progressive transportation technologies. According to experts, the experience accumulated in Germany will help to shape the optimal system of transport logistics in the region based on high level world standards. Organizers of the Congress in the Republic of Tatarstan see its main goals in consolidation of ties between Russian and German companies interested in implementation of major projects in the region, bringing in investments, making them more transparent and reducing the risks in taking administrative decisions, as well as expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.

Participants in the Congress will be introduced to a number of priority projects, in particular, to the Sviyazhsky multi-mode transport and logistics center of the European level presently under construction, oriented at the integration with the international container network of the European Union and the Asian continent, capable of becoming the basis of the transport logistics system of the entire Volga region. Holding this prominent international logistics forum in Kazan will promote regional transport projects in the Volga region, involving business circles of interested states into infrastructure projects and increasing the role of Tatarstan’s transport facilities in the global system of transport corridors. We hope this Congress will provide a further impetus to Russian-German cooperation in transport logistics and open new prospects in implementation of joint infrastructure projects.

Organizing committee