Rustam Minnikhanov: “Aerospace industry is one of priority areas of our work”

On August 5, at a research and practice conference that opened within the framework of AKTO-2014 exhibition today, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan leadership would continue facilitating development of aerospace enterprises.

President of the United Aircraft Corporation Mikhail Pogosyan, heads of Russian and foreign enterprises, design engineering bureaus, and research aerospace institutes took part in the event.

Speaking at a plenary session, Rustam Minnikhanov said that for the last few years events held within the framework of the international exhibition “Aerospace technologies, modern materials and equipment” (AKTO) have become very acclaimed among specialists. Representatives of aircraft and other related enterprises have an opportunity to get familiar with latest solutions and exchange experience, he continued.

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan aircraft industry has always been powerful. In 2013, the output of aircraft enterprises made 73 billion roubles, and more than 29, 000 people work in the industry.

“We have always known that aircraft industry is very important for the country and used our best efforts to support it in a difficult period,” Tatarstan President said.

Telling about development of aircraft enterprises in the republic, Rustam Minnikhanov mentioned Kazan helicopters plant that reached its highest proceeds of 42 billion roubles in 2013. Moreover, development of Kazan aircraft plant is being planned, and KAPO-Composite, the enterprise intended for production of aircraft parts made of composites, started working last year.

The President stressed that conditions for developing small and medium-size businesses need to be provided in aircraft industry. Therefore, Tatarstan leadership is working on establishing a technology park on the territory of Kazan aircraft plant.

Presenting a report “The development strategy of aircraft manufacture in Russia”, Mikhail Pogosyan said that the output of the United Aircraft Corporation is expected to increase four times by 2025. Company’s management is considering the integration of Tupolev design institute and Kazan aircraft plant in order to develop long-range aviation.

Mikhail Pogosyan thanked Tatarstan President for attention paid to aircraft industry hoping that support of regional leadership would help solving tasks faced by Kazan aircraft plant and Tatarstan aircraft industry in general.