Rustam Minnikhanov opens Armstrong plant in SEZ “Alabuga”
9 June 2015, Tuesday
On June 9, Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and President of Armstrong World Industries Matt Espe took part in opening of Armstrong plant in Specialized Economic Zone “Alabuga” (the Republic of Tatarstan).
According to the information provided by Armstrong company, total sum of investments in construction of the new plant made 3.6 billion roubles, the production capacity – more than 20 million square metres of ceiling panels per year. The products are to be sold in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov said that opening of this plant is very important for the republic and the whole country.
Minnikhanov expressed his special gratitude to American investors: “Thank you for believing in this project and us. A modern enterprise that will produce 20 million square metres of high quality products has been built for a short time. I hope it is just the beginning of our cooperation.”
Rustam Minnikhanov added that regional leadership will continue rendering assistance to Armstrong World Industries in implementation of new projects.
Matt Espe, in his turn, thanked Rustam Minnikhanov for support in design and construction of the new enterprise, and employees of the plant, the Russian-American team. He reminded that Armstrong had cooperated with the republic before, and supplied ceiling panels during construction of Universiade venues and some medical organizations.
“Tatarstan has a bright future. It is the leading region of Russia, with one of the most rapidly developing construction markets,” Matt Espe said.
After the official ceremony the guests looked around the plant. Rustam Minnikhanov was told about main stages of production of ceiling panels and most in-demand products in the Russian market.
On 27 August, speaking at his meeting with the Ak Bars Hockey Club at the base camp of the club in Kazan, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov stated that such meetings before the beginning of the new season have become a good tradition.
On 26 August at their meeting on the sidelines of the the Tatarstan Oil and Gas Forum held at the Kazan Expo Exhibition Center, Tatarstan Deputy Prime Minister Roman Shaykhutdinov and the Deputy Chairman of the Gazprombank Board Dmitriy Zauers and the Vice-president, the CEO of the Gazprombank branch in Kazan Anton Fomin discussed a number of issues related to cooperation of Innopolis and the bank, including joint cooperation with IT companies – residents of the Special Economic Zone of Innopolis on launching AI pilot projects and organizing joint events.
On August 22, the Kazan Aviation Plant hosted a meeting of the Council of the Association of Enterprises and Industrialists of Tatarstan with participation of the Prime Minister of the republic Aleksey Pesoshin, at which the meeting participants discussed the issues of implementing the state programme for scientific and technological development of the republic, expanding and increasing the efficiency of interaction between universities and scientific organizations with industrial enterprises.
On August 21, speaking at a briefing in the Government House of the republic, Deputy Prime Minister of the republic – Tatarstan Minister of Industry and Trade Oleg Korobchenko said that over 10,000 guests from 25 regions of Russia and 4 foreign countries are expected at the upcoming Tatarstan Oil-Gas and Petrochemical Forum.