Malaysia has invited Tatarstan businessmen to explore the opportunities in the manufacturing, construction and information technology (IT) sectors in the country, International Trade and Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said.

He said Tatarstan is among the most developed economies in Russia, especially in activities related to manufacturing, construction and IT.

"Malaysia, with our own strength in these sectors, welcomes investment cooperation and other forms of collaboration with counterparts from Tatarstan," he said at the welcoming dinner for Tatarstan President, Rustam N Minnikhanov, here Tuesday.

The dinner was in conjunction with Minnikhanov's three-day official visit to Malaysia, beginning today.

Mustapa said like Malaysia, Tatarstan actively trades with more than 130 countries and was rated as the most favourable region for running a business in Russia by Ernst and Young and Forbes Magazine last year.