H.E. Dr. Itti Ditbanjong, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Russian Federation, led the delegation of the Team Thailand in Russia, to pay an official visit to the City of Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan (an autonomous state of Russia), as official guest of the Republic’s Government from 26 – 27 August 2013.

 

During the courtesy call upon H.E. Mr. R.N. Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, by H.E. the Thai Ambassador, both sides reiterated the importance to intensify dialogue and establish closer relations in all spheres of cooperation between Thailand and each of the regions of the Russian Federation.

 

In particular, H.E. the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, agreed with H.E. the Thai Ambassador, that as Thailand is the world largest producer and exporter of rubber, an economic partnership could be explored. The Republic of Tatarstan is the manufactory hub for Russian made trucks. The Thai rubbers could respond well with the needs of the Russian tyres industry.

 

Also, as Tatarstan is the most highly Islamic populated republic of Russia, and the national hub of the Halal food industry, both the Thai Ambassador and the President of the Tatarstan Republic, agreed to further promote the cooperation between Thailand and Tatarstan in the fields of the Halal food industry and other related issues. This is also in line with the general cooperation framework that the Thai side discussed with the Tatarstan Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as the private sectors and academicians in Tatarstan.

 

In this context, at the courtesy call upon H.E. the Thai Ambassador of Thailand to the Russian Federation, Mr. D. Sadikov, General Director of the Halal Certification Center (HCC) of Russia, both sides agreed to push forward a scheme of mutual recognition of Thai - Russian Halal food products. The establishment of the Memorandum of Understanding between the HCC and the Thai agency which is responsible for monitoring and evaluation as well as certifying the Halal standards of Thai products, will be encouraged and supported. 

 

Presently, Russia and Thailand are ranked the forth and the fifth world largest exporters of Halal food products consecutively. However, the two countries are not considered direct competitors as each of the countries’ expertise in the food production and their major export markets are different.