The experience of Malaysia is to be used in the development of the Kazan agglomeration

The leaders of the metropolitan area met with the president of PEMANDU Associates, who presented the “Great Quick Results” methodology.

(KZN.RU, October 25, Ksenia Shvetsova). The members of the Malaysian delegation, the leaders of PEMANDU Associates, suggested today to create the Kazan financial district and study important issues in special laboratories. It took place at the meeting with representatives of all seven districts of the Kazan agglomeration in the City Hall. Denis Kalinkin, the head of the Executive Committee, held the meeting. Dato Sri Idriss Jala, the President of PEMANDU Associates, spoke about the methodology called “Great Quick Results”, which allowed Malaysia to achieve great results in implementing significant projects in a relatively short time, and suggested that the capital of Tatarstan use this experience to develop the Kazan agglomeration.

The PEMANDU Associates has experience working with large territorial associations. As representatives of the company noted, “Big Kuala Lumpur” for Malaysia is the same as Kazan agglomeration for the RT. “We heard about your company, your experience was presented as one of the best in terms of setting goals and their achievements. We would like to hear about the actions that you have taken to accelerate the development of your agglomeration, as well as your proposals for the development of the Kazan agglomeration”, said Denis Kalinkin, opening the meeting.

Dato Sri Idris Jala, the President of the company, said that he would be happy to share experiences that could be useful for the Kazan agglomeration. Today, 50% of global GDP is accounted for 380 cities, in which 13% of the population live. “My main thought is that it’s not the countries that compete with each other, but the cities”, marked the head. He added that, in his opinion, the position of Kazan on the new Silk Road is very beneficial. In addition, the capital of Tatarstan already has a ready infrastructure and experience in attracting international companies.

The leaders of PEMANDU suggested using the “Great Quick Results” methodology for the development of the Kazan agglomeration. The project involves 8 steps, including the definition of strategic areas, laboratories, Open Doors days, the formation of a roadmap, and others.

The company's president said that in 2009, Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, the Malaysian Prime Minister, initiated the development and adoption of two interrelated programs: a government transformation program and an economic transformation program. The goal of the PEMANDU is to develop and monitor the implementation of these two programs. The development took place with the help of eight active laboratories created out of representatives of various government bodies. More than 250 employees from various ministries, agencies, and departments throughout the country participated in these laboratories. It was possible to increase the GDP and the volume of investments in the development of the country by several times, noted the president of the company.

Linar Yakupov, a counsellor to the Prime Minister of the RT, explained that all company executives and government officials who are involved in a project gather in such a laboratory. They gather on the same site, divided into 12 teams in separate directions isolated from each other for independent work. Such work in groups continues until their participants accomplish the task that seems impracticable at first. After that, each question is worked out with specific amounts and step-by-step actions for the successful implementation of the project. The other day, the company leaders met with Alexey Kudrin, the chairman of the Accounts Chamber of the RF, and discussed the possibility of using the developed methodology for the implementation of national projects. “Many regions do not understand that this is a completely new approach that needs to be explored. We need new solutions and approaches to implement the tasks that we face today”, said L. Yakupov.

According to the president of PEMANDU, there are 12 strategic laboratories in which specific initiatives are being discussed for subsequent implementation. Dato Sri Idris Jala told that after the creation of the first laboratory, one project was discussed within 8 weeks, After that, investments from the private sector in its implementation increased to 90%.

The leadership of the Malaysian company proposed to create a financial district in the capital of the RT. “We are confident that the Kazan financial district can be a catalyst element for the development of agglomeration”. In addition, Dato Sri Idris Jala recommended identifying anchor sectors of the economy that can contribute to the development and stimulate economic growth in the entire region, such as petrochemicals, IT and education, financial services, and manufacturing.

At the end of the meeting, Denis Kalinkin thanked the delegation of Malaysia for the visit and for the proposed ideas for the development of the city and the whole republic. “We hope that your experience will be implemented as a pilot project in Tatarstan. And we will create the first laboratory for the development of the Kazan agglomeration”, said the head of the Executive Committee.

Oleg Pelevin, the deputy minister of Economy, Ildar Shakirov, the deputy head of the Executive Committee, and representatives of the structural units of the Executive Committee of Kazan and 6 other regions also took part in the discussion.

Last week, the heads of the Kazan agglomeration signed a cooperation agreement. It is the normative basis for the implementation of inter-municipal projects. The start of work in this direction is an important stage in the implementation of the Republic's Development Strategy until 2030.

Photo report

The meeting with the delegation of Malaysia, 10/25/2018