KamAZ celebrates anniversary

On February 16, a meeting to celebrate 25 years of the first made automobile was held at the KamAZ main assembly line. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev took part in the celebrations.

Director General of KamAZ I.Kostin said that over the last thirty months KamAZ has been increasing the output of all types of products, creating and launching new models of trucks and engines. 1633115 automobiles have been made for 25 years. But nevertheless, the recent achievements are only the first steps to revival of the auto works. We should double the output of trucks by expanding the number of models, increase sales volumes of spare parts, continue reforms. Thus, today's anniversary is just a new starting point.

Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev said that the destiny of KamAZ above all is the destiny of the people who had come here from all sides of the country and the republic. I think, today it is necessary to remind that KamAZ has been returned to Russia, to Tatarstan. In fact, it was not ours before - it was completely pledged to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. All these years there was "a fierce struggle and complicated negotiations at all levels". The fact that we have restructured the debts means that KamAZ is out of a pledge. Now it is necessary to move on. We live in conditions of market, the key issue today is a struggle for quality and market. KamAZ so far accounts for seven - eight per cent of all production volume of the republic. To increase the volume is one of the paramount tasks. The destiny of KamAZ is in your hands!