Forum Analytics: Key Outcomes of the International Business Week in Ufa

The project “Bashkir Longevity. Tourism” is being successfully implemented in Bashkortostan

In December 2020, during Tourism Day at the International Business Week in Ufa, measures to increase the tourism potential of the Republic of Bashkortostan were discussed. As the Minister of Economic Development and Investment Policy of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rustam Muratov emphasized in his speech, Bashkortostan is a region unique in terms of nature, and during the pandemic domestic tourism received an additional boost for development. In this regard, it is necessary to improve transport infrastructure.

“The issue of improving transport infrastructure and increasing the number of charter flights to the regions is especially relevant now. To discuss the prospects for the industry’s development, we plan to hold a round table with representatives of airlines,” said Rustam Muratov.

To develop domestic tourism in the region, since 2020 the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan R. F. Khabirov’s project “Bashkir Longevity. Tourism” has been implemented for representatives of the older generation (55+). From 2020 to 2024, 54 thousand people took part in sightseeing trips across the republic, in 2025 more than 7,100 people. It is planned that in 2026 the program will be used by 10,500 people.

In addition, work has been carried out to improve the transport accessibility of the republic. According to JSC “Ufa International Airport”, over more than two years of the flight program on the Ufa–Minsk–Ufa route, the structure of demand has remained unchanged: most passengers (45–50 people per flight) are participants in the “Bashkir Longevity. Tourism” program, while the remaining passengers (35–40 people per flight) purchase tickets on the open market. At the same time, all categories of passengers purchase tickets at a reduced price comparable to the cost of a reserved-seat railway ticket, whereas the nominal market price of air transportation from Ufa to destinations in the Russian Federation is on average 1.7 times higher than the cost of rail transportation.

Construction of a new Lasselsberger plant in Bashkortostan has been completed

In 2022, the Austrian company Lasselsberger announced the construction in Bashkortostan of a plant for the production of large-format ceramic tiles. The initiative was presented at the International Business Week in December 2021.

“In the Ufa district the company decided to build a plant for the production of large slabs… They give construction technologies additional quality and speed. Such slabs are not yet produced on a mass scale in our country,” noted Prime Minister of the Republic of Bashkortostan Andrey Nazarov.

In 2021, the project “Expansion of the plant for the production of ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware in the Ufa district of the Republic of Bashkortostan” of LLC “Lasselsberger” was at the stage of technical approvals: the site and implementation time frames were determined.

A multi-brand production and service center for Belarusian machinery has opened in Ufa

On 22 November 2023, within the framework of the International Business Week, the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan Radiy Khabirov met with a delegation from Belarus headed by the Minister of Economy Yury Chebotar. Joint projects and the strengthening of cooperation were discussed.

On 26 August 2025, Radiy Khabirov and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to the Russian Federation Aleksandr Rogozhnik opened a multi-brand production and service center in Ufa.

“There are more than 11 thousand units of Belarusian machinery in Bashkortostan… In order to service it properly, we built a unique service center in Ufa,” said Radiy Khabirov.

“This is an opportunity to significantly expand the presence of Belarusian manufacturers… Such centers will appear in other cities as well,” said Aleksandr Rogozhnik.

Maintenance

Machinery of AMKODOR, the Minsk Tractor Works, trucks of various brands, as well as a boom lift of Bashkir manufacture by “Gidoremservice”.

Sales

• OAO “AMKODOR”
• OAO “Minsk Tractor Works”
• OAO “Minsk Automobile Plant”
• OAO “UK Bobruiskagromash”
• OOO “Minsk Motor Plant”
• OOO “Minsk Motorcycle-and-Bicycle Plant”
• OOO “AMKODOR-Agidel” (grain dryers)
• OOO “Gidoremservice” (boom lifts)

Design of the “Sibay – Podolsk – Novorudnaya” railway line

In December 2023, at the plenary session of the International Business Week, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan – Minister of Economic Development and Investment Policy Rustam Muratov presented the project for the construction of the Sibay – Podolsk – Novorudnaya railway.

“The new railway will significantly shorten the logistics shoulder of the eastern districts of the Middle and Northern Urals with Kazakhstan, Central Asia and China,” said Rustam Muratov.

A Protocol of Intent and a “roadmap” for the creation of the RBIC between the Ministries of Economy of the Republic of Belarus and Bashkortostan have been signed

Bashkortostan plans to develop preferential regimes. In December 2023, within the framework of the International Business Week in Ufa, this was discussed by First Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan – Minister of Economic Development and Investment Policy of the Republic of Bashkortostan Rustam Muratov.

“Bashkortostan is one of the leaders in Russia in terms of the number of operating preferential territories. We have 5 advanced development territories, the ‘Alga’ special economic zone, 12 industrial parks and 19 technology parks. More than 300 residents operate in the preferential territories with an investment portfolio of 150 billion rubles and the planned creation of over 42 thousand jobs,” said Rustam Muratov.

Today Rustam Muratov continues to emphasize the strategic importance of developing union partnerships with friendly states and EAEU countries, noting that the Republic of Belarus is one of Russia’s key economic partners in the CIS.

“The implementation of each individual project is highly targeted and is associated with lengthy administrative procedures. A systemic, unified solution will make it possible to reduce costs, increase production volumes and improve the competitiveness of projects. It was precisely as a response to these challenges that our initiative was born – the creation of the Russian–Belarusian investment cluster,” summarized Rustam Muratov.

The Republic of Bashkortostan has submitted a legislative initiative on the creation of the cluster to the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko for consideration by the Supreme State Council of the Union State. Work continues on amending the draft federal law on the creation of the cluster in accordance with the position of the Government of the Russian Federation.

Bashkortostan is a leader in the number of enterprises certified “Roskachestvo-Halal”

In December 2024, at the International Business Week, the development of the halal industry was discussed by representatives of the Russian Export Center, the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Roskachestvo, and international experts: Eltan Buli Ashraf Hazem Mohamed (Halal Service of the Islamic Chamber, OIC), Haitham Al Hashemi (GAC, GCC) and heads of specialized centers from friendly countries.

“Interest in halal products is growing even in non-Muslim countries: for consumers, this certification is an indicator of high quality… Bashkortostan can act as a brand in the international market,” said Eltan Buli Ashraf Hazem Mohamed.