Opening remarks by Vladimir Putin at a meeting with Mintimer Shaimiyev:
Mr Shaimiyev, I would like to begin by congratulating you on such a splendid project. I am talking about the whole project, not just the first mass-produced car. The zone is off to a good start, and although problems exist, which we will discuss at our meeting, it is well on its way. The auto assembly plant is perfect, and more factories will be added to it in the future. The figure of 70% for locally produced components is very impressive. For a Russian site this is a good showing. Gradually, we can reach 100%. If the steel plants work to capacity, and I have consulted them, we will reach our targets.
Your record is also good: 75,000 Italian cars, and 50,000 cars made with our Japanese and Korean partners. Out of eight billion in investments, six is already working. You are making good progress and showing good results, and on top of that, you are developing an engineering academy with the Turin Polytechnic. The academy will be a centre for innovation and will train well-qualified, much needed personnel for auto manufacturing, a key industry. The project is good, and the outlook for the republic is also generally good.