“We Will Work Together in the Caucasus!”: RUSSIA EXPO Addresses Prospects for Development of the North Caucasus Federal District and the Caucasus Investment Forum
12/11/2023
The international RUSSIA EXPO hosted the Days of the Regions of the North Caucasus Federal District at VDNH. The regional leaders assessed the work of the regions’ stands, experts took part in business sessions, and creative teams introduced visitors to the national culture of the regions during concerts, games, and master classes. The regions of the North Caucasus Federal District will also showcase their stands at the Caucasus Investment Forum, which will take place in May 2024 in the southern Russian city of Mineralnye Vody.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who is in charge of the affairs of the North Caucasus Federal District, took part in the opening ceremony of Day of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. Novak said the region’s calling card is its uniquely picturesque landscapes, ancient historical and natural monuments, and healing mineral springs. But its most special treasure is its people, who are essential to achieving its prosperity and well-being. “The republic has become a shared home for dozens of peoples who have lived in peace and harmony for hundreds of years, cherish their culture and traditions, and are known for their true Caucasus hospitality,” he said. Novak particularly noted the vast potential for developing ski, environmental, and health tourism in the region. Head of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic Rashid Temrezov also delivered a welcome address. Soloists from the Elbrus State Dance Ensemble of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic performed for guests at the republic’s stand.
In addition, Novak took part in the opening ceremony of the Day of the Chechen Republic. The event was also attended by Chairman of the Chechen Government Muslim Khuchiyev, as well as leading scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, and cultural and artistic figures from the region. Novak visited the stand of the Chechen Republic, as well as an ethnographic exhibition dedicated to the region’s traditional crafts, paintings, and successes in culture and art. He learned about the progress that has been made in implementing the region’s national programmes and prospects for its development as part of a presentation given by Khuchiyev.
“The Chechen Republic is one of the most distinctive regions of our country. It is home to a huge number of historical and architectural monuments. The region combines different climatic zones: mountains and plains, lush forests, mountain rivers, and lakes. The city of Grozny, the capital of the republic, has truly blossomed in recent years. Today, it is one of the most beautiful, safe, and comfortable cities in Russia. The Russian government and the republic’s leadership are currently joining forces to realize 100% of the great potential of Chechnya and improve people’s living standards,” Novak said.
The Republic of Dagestan presented some of the region’s tourism routes at its stand as part of the Day of the Regions. The head of the region, Sergey Melikov, visited the republic’s stand and gave a welcome speech. Leading Dagestan dance and singing groups performed solo concerts. Visitors learned about the main tourism routes in the region, the republic’s most ancient settlements, and the unique ethnocultural diversity of Dagestan.
Head of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania Sergei Menyaylo paid a visit to his region’s stand. The lecture ‘North Ossetia: The Tourism Pearl of the Caucasus’ showcased the riches and sites of North Ossetia, its tourism potential and natural beauty, and the restoration of the Central Asian leopards. Companies from the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania offered samples of their food products, while craftsmen presented their folk arts and crafts, including felt hats, burkas, carpets, costumes, and souvenirs. Guests at the exhibition had a chance to engage in Ossetian creativity themselves, as they tried their hand at weaving a national Ossetian scarf during a master class.
Visitors to the Day of the Republic of Ingushetia were treated to cultural and educational programmes, a presentation of different ways to study the Ingush language, and master classes on folk crafts. During the opening ceremony, Head of the Republic of Ingushetia Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov spoke about Ingushetia’s cultural, tourism, and agricultural resources and took a tour of the stand. The business programme included the roundtable ‘Ingushetia: A Journey to the Homeland of Towers’. During the exhibition, leading specialists and artists from the republic showed guests how to play national instruments and weave felt carpets, and also taught them about bas-relief craftsmanship, modern art, and pottery.
During the Day of the Stavropol Territory, visitors learned about the region’s traditions, tourism and industrial projects, and investment opportunities. Guests at the Stavropol exposition were greeted by a ‘buvette tree’, where they could try Kislovodsk Narzan, Yessentuki No. 16, and Slavyanovskaya mineral water. Right behind the tree is a panorama of the resorts of the Caucasus Mineral Waters, while people who enjoy active recreation were able to take an interactive bike ride on a virtual tour of the Caucasus forests.
Stavropol Territory Governor Vladimir Vladimirov spoke about the region’s development prospects and the upcoming Caucasus Investment Forum. “During the Day of the Stavropol Territory, we were thrilled to showcase our rich cultural heritage, innovation, and spirit of the region. For us, participating in such events is an opportunity to introduce people to the potential of the region and the federal district as a whole. This includes the agricultural sector, tourism, industry, art, and much more. We have now created some of the most favourable conditions for doing business in the Stavropol region. We are ready to introduce investors and product manufacturers to the prospects they are offering. The Stavropol Territory is now actively developing and generating increased attention from business. In May 2023, the MinvodyEXPO International Exhibition Centre hosted the first Caucasus Investment Exhibition, which has now been granted the status of a forum. In 2024, we expect even more active participants and invite you to the Caucasus Investment Forum. We will work together in the Stavropol region and the entire Caucasus!” Vladimirov said.
Anton Kobyakov, an adviser to the Russian president and executive secretary of the Caucasus Investment Forum Organizing Committee, noted the significant economic potential of the North Caucasus regions. “The existing development programme for the North Caucasus Federal District calls for growth in labour market indicators and the income of the population, as well as an increase in tourist flows to the district’s regions. A large influx of investment can already be seen: entrepreneurs have started viewing the region as a convenient place for doing business and are creating new jobs. The Caucasus Investment Forum will be held in Mineralnye Vody next year with the aim of demonstrating these successes and uniting all the regions that make up the North Caucasus Federal District on a single platform to show the general public their capabilities and development prospects,” he said.
Head of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic Kazbek Kokov also took part in the Day of his region at RUSSIA EXPO. Speaking about the republic’s achievements, Kokov noted that the greatest progress has been made in agriculture, industrial production, tourism, resorts, and scientific, educational, cultural, and ethnographic issues. During the business programme, the guests discussed hiking, the current state and prospects for the development of horticulture and light industry in the republic, and much more. In addition to the business programme, cultural events were also held, including a concert of artists from the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic.
At the stand of Caucasus.RF, the title partner of the Caucasus Investment Forum, visitors learned about how tourism and local business projects are developing in the North Caucasus and took part in master classes where they immersed themselves in the atmosphere of the culture and traditions of the regions, as well as a draw for ski passes. Caucasus.RF General Director Andrey Yumshanov noted that the North Caucasus Federal District is a unique place for developing business and the country’s tourism potential. “The Days of the Regions of the North Caucasus Federal District in the very heart of Moscow is a great occasion for everyone who knows, loves, and is developing the North Caucasus to get together. But the most important effect is that people who just yesterday didn’t even know where it was or what interesting things are there learned about the hospitality, beauty, and cordiality of the region. Caucasus.RF has its own large stand in the ‘Get a Sense of Russia’ pavilion and we constantly monitor reviews and feedback. These reviews contain a lot of warmth and joy, but, most importantly, a desire to come to the North Caucasus,” he said.
The Caucasus Investment Forum will be held in spring 2024 to enhance the investment potential of the North Caucasus Federal District and promote its sustainable socioeconomic development. The Roscongress Foundation is organizing the Forum with the support of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.
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