Marat Khusnullin

Deputy Chairman of the Government of Russian Federation

General Biographical Information

• Marat Khusnullin was born on August 9, 1966, in Kazan, Tatar ASSR, RSFSR, Soviet Union.
• In 1984-1986 served in Soviet Armed Forces.
• In 1990 graduated from the Kazan Finance and Economics Institute, Department of „Economics“.
• In 2000 graduated from the UK Open University, with a degree in „Proffessional Management“.
• In 2006 was awarded degree of Candidate of Economic Sciences.
• Khusnullin has been awarded title of the Merited Builder of the Republic of Tatarstan, Merited Builder of Moscow and Merited Builder of the Russian Federation.
• Khunsulin is often criticized by media and opposition. According to media reports, his daughter owns apartment in downtown Moscow worth 200 million RUB. While working at Moscow City Hall Khusnullin has redeemed the apartment under City Hall property which he later gave to daughter. Moscow activists and opposition MPs referred to him as one of the most corrupted officials at the City Hall and considered him as ideologue of „renovation“ - the program in Moscow under which important infrastructure projects have been implemented.
• According to the investigation report of „Transparency International“, Khunsulin’s relatives controlled many of the companies executing government orders. All these companies were affiliated with UK-registered company whose director was Khusnullin’s mother. The media also referred to his wife as one of the richest wives of officials.

Professional career

• Until 2010, before moving to Moscow City Hall, his professional and political career was connected to the Republic of Tatarstan.
• In 1983 and in 1986-1987 worked as Laboratory Assistant at the Kazan Finance and Economics Institute.
• In 1987-1995 was Chief Accountant and Chairman, „Temp“ Cooperative in Kazan.
• In 1995-1997 was Director General, „Interplastservice“ in Kazan.
• In 1997-2000 was Director General, „Ak Bars – Construction Trade and Industrial Co“ in Kazan.
• In 2000-2001 was Deputy Director General, „Tatenergo“.

Political career

• In 1999-2001 was member of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan.
• In 2001-2010 was the Minister of Construction, Architecture, Housing and Utilities of the Republic of Tatarstan. During his tenure, the Complex Housing Development Program was initiated in the Republic of Tatarstan, attracting additional federal investments. Under his initiative was developed standard projects for housing, road and socially important facilities. As Minister, he actively supported implementation of the program „e-Russia“. He was also actively involved in construction of sports venues for the Universiade in Kazan in 2013. During his tenure in Kazan, Kazan Metro and the Kul-Sharif Mosque were built dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the city.
• Khusnullin’s career in Moscow began in 2010. In November-December 2010, he was the Head of the Moscow City Department of Construction.
• From December 2, 2010 to January 21, 2020, he held the position of Moscow Deputy Mayor of Urban Development and Construction.
• He was one of the most influential officials in Moscow City Hall. Prior to joining Moscow City Hall, Khusnullin worked for the Republic of Tatarstan for years. While working in Moscow City Hall he led the project of implementing an e-document circulation system in construction field. His name is linked to the implementation of numerous large-scale infrastructure projects in Moscow. He oversaw the policy for „New Moscow“ construction. He was the Chairman of the Architectural Council and supervised implementation of unified construction policy in Moscow. With his direct involvement, many construction investment contracts, signed during Luzhkov's tenure, have been suspended. In 2012-2019, in Moscow, under Khusnullin’s leadership, 47 new metro stations were built and new metro line was opened. According to media reports, many representatives of the Republic of Tatarstan were appointed to senior positions in Moscow City Hall and its related structures during Khusnullin’s tenure. Thanks to the links with Khusnullin, republic-related companies in Moscow were also winning state contracts.
• On January 21, 2020, by the executive order of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, Khusnullin was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. His area of ​​responsibility covers socio-economic cooperation with Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. He also curates housing policy, development of regions and municipalities, socio-economic development of Crimea and Kaliningrad, annexed by Russia, as well as construction, reconstruction, overhaul, highways operation, road activities and traffic safety. On the position of the curator to Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region Khusnullin was preceded by Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, who failed to retain his post in the new government. Khusnullin had no business relation with Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region until his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister.
• On February 15, 2020, by the decree of the government of the Russian Federation, Khusnullin was appointed co-chair of the intergovernmental committee on socio-economic cooperation with Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region. Khusnullin was preceded by Vitaly Mutko, who left the government on January 21 as a result of government changes. 
• On November 1, 2022, the Prime Minister of Russia, Mikhail Mishustin, appointed Alexander Novak as the Co-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Committee for Socio-Economic Cooperation between Russia and the de facto Republic of Abkhazia and Russia and the de facto Republic of the Tskhinvali Region. Novak replaced Khusnullin in this position.

Relations with Abkhazia

• On November 12, 2020, a program for the formation of a common social and economic space between Russia and Abkhazia was approved on the basis of harmonization of the legislation of Abkhazian and the Russian Federation. From the Russian side Khusnullin and the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Dmitry Kozak, and from the Abkhaz side the de facto President, Aslan Bzhania, and the de facto Prime Minister, Aleksandr Ankvab, signed the program. The program is aimed at creating favourable conditions for the full participation of Abkhazia in the integration processes initiated or supported by Russia. Within the framework of the program, 45 events are planned with the time frame of 2-3 years.
• On October 11, 2021, in Moscow, Khusnullin met with de facto president of Abkhazia Aslan Bzhania. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Head of the de facto Presidential Administration, Valerie Papba, and the de facto Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of Economy, Kristina Ozgan. The “parties” discussed the issues of Abkhaz-Russian cooperation and the socio-economic development of Abkhazia for 2022-2025.

Relations with Tskhinvali Region

• On March 13, 2020, de facto President of the Tsknhinvali Region met with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Moscow. During the visit Bibilov met with Khusnullin as well.
• In January 2021, a total of 14 opposition MPs of the Tskhinvali region sent a letter to Khusnullin claiming that ties between the region and Russia were illegitimate, since the term of office of the Cabinet of Ministers and the President expired on October 29. The letter stated that bilateral agreements, protocols or documents signed within the framework of the investment program promoting the socio-economic development of the region have neither a legal basis nor legal force.