Ilsur Metshin: “The challenges caused by the pandemic will remain in 2021, and we must learn to live and create in new conditions”

The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin took part in the investment forum in Almaty yesterday. This year it was held online.

The head of the capital of Tatarstan joined a teleconference on the topic “New normality of megacities”, where participants-mayors of large cities of different countries, as well as well – known international experts, discussed the social consequences of the global pandemic of a new coronavirus infection and ways to combat crises.

“Kazan is like a beautiful diamond: we are trying to make all facets shine”

In an effort to restore the economy and return to the previous pace of development, it is important for city leaders to take into account that the individuality and uniqueness of each city plays a special role in this, said panel moderator Eldar Abdrazakov. “Speaking about the diversity and national color of cities, I would like to address the Mayor of Kazan. What is the uniqueness of your city and how do you manage to preserve it?”, - he asked the Mayor of the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan.

One of the unique features of Kazan is a combination of continuity to the traditions that have developed in the capital of Tatarstan over a thousand –year period and constant development, I. Metshin said. Kazan has repeatedly hosted the world premiere sporting events, which have left a rich infrastructure legacy in the city, the Kazan Mayor added.

Another important feature is the multiculturalism of Kazan, I. Metshin added: “We have 170 nations and ethnicities living in peace and harmony, and this is our main asset.”

“Our tourism sector has grown significantly: 460 thousand people visited Kazan in the Millennium year, so last year we welcomed 3.5 million tourists,” I. Metshin added. “Kazan is like a beautiful diamond: we are trying to make all its facets shine and work on it”.

“We must develop new formulas for public-private partnership and switch to municipal-private partnership”

The pandemic affected almost all cities and caused the decline of economy around the world. It is necessary first to think about supporting businesses for restoring-both large and small, former Prime Minister of Georgia Nikoloz Gilauri believes. He suggested revising the mechanisms of public-private partnership and providing entrepreneurs with new opportunities for growth.

The younger generation of talented specialists will also help to achieve noticeable results faster, moderator E. Abdrazakov noted. He addressed the Mayor of Kazan, half of the population of the city is under 30 and there are about 170 thousand students, with the question of how to keep talented young people in their city. “If we talk specifically about our experience, I can say that it is important to increase the level of comfort, safety and education, to create conditions”, - Ilsur Metshin said. It is also important to have employment opportunities, he added.

At the end of the discussion, the participants noted that next year cities around the world would deal with the consequences of the “coronacrisis”.

“The challenges caused by the pandemic will remain, these are our new realities. We must learn not only to live with it, but also to continue to create and be successful, - the Mayor of Kazan shared his opinion. – This is not the first time when the world is facing problems. We must remain optimistic in any case, find new forms of work, exchange practices and keep going forward”.