Rustam Minnikhanov: The construction materials industry takes an important place in the economy of Tatarstan

On April 4, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in a field meeting of the Ministry of Construction, Architecture and Housing and Utilities of the republic on developing the construction materials industry in the region.

The meeting was held at the Fonika Gypsum Company in Kamskoe-Ustye municipal region of the republic. Prior to the meeting, Minnikhanov got acquainted with production activities of the enterprise and look around samples of products.

Making a keynote report at the meeting, Minister of Construction, Architecture and Housing and Utilities of the republic Irek Faizullin noted that in the first quarter of 2017 more than 650,000 square meters of housing were commissioned in Tatarstan. Currently, almost 1,600 organizations, employing about 102,000 people, are engaged in construction works.

According to the Minister, there are 561 enterprises producing basic construction products, including prefabricated reinforced concrete and concrete products, ready-mixed concrete and mortar, aerated concrete blocks, building bricks, heat-insulating materials, etc. in Tatarstan. 

Among topical issues of the industry Faizullin outlined a lack of affordable loans, a rise in tariffs for road and rail transport services, a significant increase in the cost of energy resources. He also added that manufacturers do not have enough funds to upgrade their production facilities.

Speaking at the meeting, heads of regional enterprises reported on their experience in the construction industry market, cooperation with educational institutions, and also made some proposals for further development of the industry.

In his turn Minnikhanov said that the construction materials industry takes an important place in the economy of Tatarstan. Last year the enterprises of the industry produced 485 million units of bricks, 300,000 cubic meters of aerated concrete products, more than 730,000 cubic meters of concrete products, 1.1 million cubic meters of ready-mixed concrete and mortar, 3.5 million cubic meters of heat-insulating materials, 1.3 million square meters of soft roofing materials, over 500,000 tonnes of gypsum.

At the same time, Tatarstan continues to import large quantities of materials such as cement and sanitary products. We need to develop our own production facilities more actively, attract domestic and foreign investors to the republic, Minnikhanov emphasized.