December 22, 2014. Uralvagonzavod’s Okunev Palace of Culture hosted a round table discussion on partnership development with Chinese businesses. A Chinese delegation, headed by the People’s Republic of China’s Consul-General in Yekaterinburg Tyan Ynsan, joined the discussion as guests of honor, Uralvagonzavod Corporation’s press service reports.

First Deputy Mayor of Nizhniy Tagil Vladislav Pinayev and Nizhniy Tagil Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and Chairman Boris Sokolov took part in the discussion as well, as did business representatives, including Uralvagonzavod’s Chief Engineer Yuri Shangin and Production Director Pavel Slobodyanik. The discussion was centered around production, equipment delivery, construction, and tourism.

‘The corporation’s member enterprise UKBTM is currently working on design documentation for a new-generation excavator. We are planning to collaborate with our Chinese partners when it comes to hydraulic equipment, engine, and cabin,’ Shangin said.

The Consul-General, in his turn, promised to give all kinds of support to the project to make sure it becomes a success. He said both Nizhniy Tagil and Uralvagonzavod Corporation were very well known in China, in many respects due to its defense, machine-building, and metallurgical products.

At the end of the meeting, the delegates were given a walking tour of the head plant’s museum so that they could learn about the company history.

‘China and Russia’s cooperation has been building up very fast. This year, the two countries’ trade turnover reached $100bn, including over $800m worth of transactions between Sverdlovsk Region and China. The figure is expected to rise to $200bn by 2020. The Chinese companies keep looking for business partners in the Urals: both parties are interested in cooperation,’ the press service said.