Timur Utsayev, Grozny, exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Several days ago in Grozny, representatives of the Korean business community held talks with Chechen colleagues. At the level of government, Chechnya prepared dozens of investment proposals with expert recommendations. For representatives of the Chechen Chamber of Commerce, the visit of the South Korean businessmen came in handy, the republic has professionally prepared investment projects, and now advanced companies from around the world have become interested in them.
The head of the delegation, the former director of the Korea-Kazakhstan Center of Technological Cooperation Nam Sak Ju, who is now dealing with the transformation of Korean technology for the CIS, talked to VK about his visit: "These companies can be called the leaders in the world market. "Simflaur" is a company for production of pipes and equipment for the oil and gas industry. Their product is in demand on the world market, used in Russia in the Sakhalin project, where the temperatures reach 65 degrees. Representatives of the company are interested and want to work in Chechnya. Now it is planned to build pipelines between Korea and Russia through North Korea, and guests are going to participate in such projects. These products are already used by world famous companies, and on my trip to Grozny we want to find true partners. We have already talked with the head of the Chechen Ministry of Energy and found support for many issues. You can find different types of finance, technology, human resources, management, sales. The issue of technology transfer is difficult, but the Koreans are doing it, we are ready to transfer technology, but Korea should supply the products on the Russian market. Another company "Kuvers" produces various car parts. The Chechen leadership plans to produce up to 45 different parts. They expressed the desire to do this with the Korean companies, but it will take a long time. We offered to sell Korean spare parts to Iran, Georgia and Azerbaijan through Chechnya. This project can be quickly implemented. There are government agencies for the production of agricultural products, in particular, the cultivation of different types of grains and vegetables. The company itself is fairly big. Their products are not only grown in Korea, but also exported to foreign countries. For example, here in Chechnya we have demonstrated methods and technologies for the establishment of greenhouses, we can do a lot in this area. There is a company "Kwait" that establishes WiFi systems, they have a very specific technology, their service is common in some countries. Another company is engaged in the development and installation of wind power plants, especially small ones. The representatives of the company have their own technology, and they would like to work in the country, because of the mountains."
Nam Sak Ju said that the South Korean delegation has carefully studied the investment passport of Chechnya. According to the businessman, the document shows very serious consideration and the effort that the republic's government is taking to improve the investment climate and attract foreign companies.
According to the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Chechnya, the range of South Korean projects presented is very interesting and corresponds to the work of the republic's authorities. The list of investment projects identified as priorities by the Chechen government includes the development of alternative energy, wind power and hydropower, hydroelectric power plants and the development of solar energy. "We know that South Korea is the leader in the development and implementation of alternative energy projects and sets ambitious goals.
No less interesting are the projects for the production of automobiles and auto components. In this South Korean companies are also in the lead in many directions. The largest share of our investment portfolios are agricultural projects. This direction enjoys the greatest support of the Chechen government and the Russian government. Among our projects which provoked the interest of the Korean delegation there are proposals for the production of lighting products, energy-saving lamps, the South Korean businessmen are suggesting joint production. This year, in agreement with Vnesheconombank, 25 of our projects will be credited by Vnesheconombank with 15 billion rubles. Lending mechanisms have already been decided. we have already worked them out. Vnesheconombank developed a mechanism of loans under our the guarantee of the guarantee fund, which was created by the Ministry of Finance of Russia. "
According to Deputy Industry and Energy Minister of Chechnya Sultan Rahman, Chechnya and the South Korean delegation reached mutual understanding on further cooperation. A letter of intentions was signed with seven Korean companies. "We have signed a protocol of intentions to build HydroCascade on the river Argun, to construct a heating plant in Grozny with capacity of 400 megawatts, to create vans with the capacity up to one ton and to co-produce car components. Also, the guests were interested in a project to build a plant for the production of LED lighting products. We have defined the working groups and intend to communicate with our Korean counterparts. On arrival in South Korea, company representatives will report to their superiors about the results of the visit and then concrete actions should follow," Sultan Rahman said.
