Kazan is hosting Russia–ASEAN summit activities this week as thousands of delegates arrive from Southeast Asia, with city officials highlighting large-scale investment in infrastructure, tourism expansion and long-term urban development.
Ilsur Metshin, mayor of Kazan, said 13 delegations led by Southeast Asian leaders are attending the programme, alongside journalists and support staff, bringing total arrivals to about 8,500 guests.
He said the summit reflects both logistical scale and long-term urban transformation efforts.
“Of course, this involves billions of rubles, but the forum itself will last only two or three days,” he said.
“Yet all of this will remain for our residents, the people of Kazan, and the visitors to the capital whom we are always happy to welcome,” he added.
Metshin pointed to sharp growth in tourism over the past two decades as the city positions itself as a regional destination.
“Twenty years ago… we welcomed only half a million tourists, and over these 20 years we have grown tenfold,” he said.
“For us, the tourism industry is just as important as sectors such as IT, oil refining, and aircraft manufacturing,” he said.
He said international events act as a catalyst for wider urban development and investment in public infrastructure.
“It brings income to families, generates tax revenue, and creates jobs,” he said.
He added that major events leave lasting improvements in the city’s infrastructure and services.
“Every such event takes Kazan to a new level in hospitality, urban development, comfort, and security,” he said.
Metshin also highlighted symbolic cultural elements showcased during the summit period, including recent additions to the city zoo.
“It is a wonderful symbol of friendship,” he said, referring to elephants gifted by Laos as part of diplomatic ties.
"Elephants remained a particularly difficult issue because they are not something that can simply be purchased, and fortunately for us thanks to the President of Laos, on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, it was a gift from the President to our President Vladimir Putin."
Among key sites being promoted to delegates are the Kazan Kremlin, the Old Tatar Quarter and Bauman Street, alongside main venues including the Expo Centre and the Galiaskar Kamal Tatar Theatre.
(Reporting by Astro AWANI; source material from RT International)
