I. Metshin: “2016 was the year of creation and capture of new heights for Kazan”

The transcript of the TV program “Theme” on the channel “Efir” with the participation of the Mayor of Kazan:

Anchorman: The “Efir” continues with the "Theme", and Alexey Kuleshov is in the studio, hello! Today, we are summarizing results of the year for our city together with Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan. Good evening, Mr. Metshin!

Ilsur Metshin: Good evening!

A.K.: Ilsur Metshin will answer the questions that you sent before the broadcast. You can ask them now by calling 554-22-22. Meanwhile, we are starting. Mr. Metshin, we can say the 2016 has ended. If you sum up, what it was to Kazan? Successful or not?

I.M.: We cannot exactly describe it in one word. It was different. We started it with anxiety: the whole country, the Republic of Tatarstan and Kazan as the capital - we have lived and worked under the sanctions against our country. However, this year has been constructive, we were able to do a lot, build, implement. There were difficulties and, unfortunately, losses. Of course, small and medium-sized businesses had it hard. Some large enterprises “sunk” because of limited opportunities to sell their products. Others, on the contrary, strengthened their positions and expand the market, increase profits. Therefore, it was different for the industry, but small and medium-sized businesses had to work in such harsh conditions. But there is progress, new projects in different areas and sectors have been opened.

In general, this year was the year of creation. We have growth in many positions. If we talk about the main indicators of our life, a baby boom is still going on in Kazan, in spite of everything. I believe, firstly, that it is the main joy in life - the birth of children. Secondly, it is a leading indicator of people's confidence in the future. The number of born children is still increasing every year, it is very pleasing.

The next indicator is our investment attractiveness. By investment, we are the second city among the cities with million population of the Russian Federation. It is also one of the “litmus test”. As for housing construction, we introduced 800 thousand square meters, which is more than last year by 5%. Well, of course it is the number of cranes, which always catches the eye, when I go to any region. Number of buildings is also an indication.

Thanks to Rustam Minnikhanov, our President, and the Government. No national program was cancelled in the most difficult conditions: it is repair of yards, schools, and kindergartens. We continued with federal programs, a bit later we will cover the numbers.

The 2016 in Kazan was spent with the building, the implementation of new projects, we reached many peaks. Therefore, we continue to grow, progressively move towards a better life.

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A.K.: Well, let us hear our viewers. We've got the first phone call.

Viewer: Good evening! My name is Laysan. Mr. Metshin, my question is about the center of additional education “Zarechie”. My daughter goes there for the second year. Everything is fine, we like classes, we like teachers - thanks to them. But the building itself, of course, is in a terrible condition. They promised to make repairs, but there is nothing. The last thing I heard is that the building with the center is going to be closed. Where do we take our children then? Is it possible to resolve somehow this issue, Mr. Metshin?

I.M.: Thank you for the question. I subscribe to your words of gratitude to the staff of teachers in additional education. They are really wonderful, and develop the talents of our children, which grow as stars, and realize their innermost talent.

I have good news, this decision was made, and the decision of the Government was signed. 36 million, if my memory serves me, will be sent for the overhaul. Therefore, this center will be overhauled next year and I hope we meet at the matinee of our children, look at their reporting concert.

A.K.: So it won’t be closed or transported?

I.M.: At the time of major repairs, we will certainly keep the sections in various sites in the neighborhood. It will be closed for a while, but the most important that there is a decision and we will implement this decision in the short term.

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A.K.: Mr. Metshin, we have just a minute left. It is 10 days until the New Year. What would you like to wish the citizens on the eve of the holiday?

I.M.: Nothing new, you know. Turning to our dear residents of Kazan, I want firstly to thank for the outgoing 2016, for the fact that we are together with you worked very amicably to the benefit of our native city, the native capital, to thank you all. And I wish good health, spiritual and physical in the coming 2017. Let your relatives and friends please you, the year will be without losses, and of New Year's Eve Ded Moroz will make the most cherished dreams of our children come true, and we all remain children at heart though. Therefore, I wish all of our Christmas wishes would be realized with the help of God and our work in 2017. Happy New Year, good health, success and all the best in the New Year. Thank you.

A.K.: Well, let's make a wish, let them all come true. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, was our guest today, thank you very much. We thank our viewers for your attention. Goodbye.

I.M.: Happy New Year.

The full version of the transcript is available here http://metshin.ru/ru/blogs/17474