Igor Shuvalov tours Kamaz

Russian government First Deputy Chairman Igor Shuvalov has today visited Naberezhnye Chelny. He was accompanied by Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Alexandra Levitskaya, General Director of the Rostekhnologii state corporation Sergei Chemezov, his deputy Igor Zavialov and Vnesheconombank board chairman Vladimir Dmitriev.

At Kamaz, the guests were welcomed by the Tatarstan chairman of the government Roustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan Industry and Trade Minister Ravil Zaripov, Mayor of Naberezhnye Chelny Ildar Khalikov and General Director of Kamaz Sergei Kogogin.

Igor Shuvalov toured the premises of the Cummins Kama joint venture, new class-A logistics terminal at the Master industrial park and the Leoni plant. At the Kamaz research and development centre, the guests saw the display of special auto equipment manufactured by the corporation, including re-styled Kamaz vehicles.

The Kamaz’s component satellite, Kama industrial park Master, KIP Master, continues to develop in the complex economic conditions. As of today, 70 percent of the pallet sites in the logistics terminal are taken. According to experts, this is a starting point to the Transkama region. The company is trying to support manufacturers and entrepreneurs: early this year, “tax holidays” were in effect here, the rental rate on long-term agreementshas been reduced to 8 roubles a day. Besides, a tenant at the logistics centre pays for the amount of goods and the time the goods are stored there. Any undertaker, not only operators at KIP Master, can be tenants.

One of the KPI Master tenants is the truck component producer, Leoni Wiring Systems, RWS, which solemn opening took place days ago. On a space of 5 thousand square metres 70 people are manufacturing bundled cable and complete wiring systems. The total share of German components is nearly 24 percent.

The city’s mayor Ildar Khalikov commented on the first logistics centre significance: “KIP Master does not let space, it creates an infrastructure for businesses and businessmen.”

The city’s backbone company, said Igor Shuvalov, is living through the crisis with dignity: “Technical re-armament is performed, new equipment is purchased, people are provided with an opportunity to set up own businesses in the Republic of Tatarstan and in Naberezhnye Chelny. Today, we have seen at Kamaz companies that have been quite effective in the new conditions of fallen demand. In general, we can see the enterprise has good prospects.”

The official went on to say 2009 had been difficult for national auto manufacturers, as well as for the global auto industry. A long-term auto making plan for Russia is being devised, told Tatar-inform the Mayor Office’s press service.

The next stop within Igor Shuvalov’s tour will be the Avtovaz auto maker in Toliatti.