Mintimer Shaimiev: “We can and we should fly well”

On July 13, “Izvestiya” newspaper published an article “We can and should fly well” where RT President Mintimer Shaimiev considers possible ways of home aircraft engineering development.

“The future of Russian aviation means a lot to Tatarstan, since we have one of the biggest aircraft producing complexes not in Russia but in the world. Despite the crisis of the 90-s the Government of Tatarstan was always supporting aircraft industry. Much has been achieved as the result. Kazan helicopters reputed themselves at the international market and entered the 100 of global military machines exporters. Aircraft engineers of Tatarstan have started production of Tu-214, and they have already supplied 8 machines. The production of short-haul Tu-334 and regional carrier Tu-324 is in process.

Head of the republic is not satisfied with the fact that “it has already been the fourth document adopted on how to lead aircraft industry out of crisis, but none of them has been successful”. According to RT President, the reason is that the authors of the concept repeat the same idea – the idea of incorporation. “But as it is known, supergiantism in the versatile activity is usually does not promote for dynamic growth of the sector and effective management”, - Mintimer Shaimiev said.

The President considers the alternative approach of Joint Aircraft Company forming more perspective: “Through the additional emission of shares of the aircraft and the related companies”. Besides, according to Mintimer Shaimiev, we have to resolve on cancellation of VAT from helicopters and aircrafts. “Investments in aviation give an immediate effect in the shape of pay-back to the budget already at the production stage, this investments are the long-term ones and do not cause inflation. And of course, foreign producers should not have any privileges like customs tax reduction and others, not before, neither after the reform. If this practice continues, we may forget about Russian aircraft revival forever”, - Mintimer Shaimiev underlined.