Published: 6/19/1998

One hundred and eleven enterprises from 12 countries participated in the 5th international Engines '98 exhibition, which opened in Moscow on 16 June. The purpose of the exhibition was for enterprises of this hi-tech sector to establish and broaden contacts, to get acquainted with the most interesting Russian and foreign technology development studies, and promote Russian engines on the domestic and world markets. An international Engines and Ecology symposium was held within the framework of the exhibition. "The exhibition and the scientific symposiumenabled exhibitors and visitors to see for themselves once again that engine manufacture, based on high technologies, is the most beneficial co-operation area for Russia," Viktor Chuiko, president of the Union of Aircraft Engine Manufacture Association, told ConCISe. "Along with that, the number of jobs in this sector has diminished by 50%, while labour productivity has dropped by 50-60%. But even under these conditions, there are examples of individual enterprises which have managed to boost their output in 1997 by 30-40%, compared with the previous year", Chuiko said."There are prerequisites for an increase in the scope of production in the sector as a whole," the Association president emphasised. Chuiko is of the opinion that the placing of the aircraft engine manufacture under the authority of the Russian Ministry of Economics produces positive results. "Those people, who directly distribute funds now, bear responsibility for the development of the aircraft industry," he said. The Association president also pointed out that engine manufacturing plants "increasingly orient themselves to market requirements." However, improvements in the state of affairs in the sector may be achieved only provided the country's economy is normalised in general. Russian air companies badly need modern aircraft, Russian presidential aide, Yevgeny Shaposhnikov, told ConCISe at the opening of the show.Foreign airlines have flown regularly to Russian cities since 1992, but Russian companies are unable to fly to the West, he noted. But Russia cannot "be the strongest and best on its own.. There is a need for co-operation with Western companies who are ready to interact with Russian plants. The West recognises the highest level of technologies and science of our aerospace companies," the marshal said. He thinks ideological factors no longer influence the relations between Russian and foreign companies. The relations are based on "joint ventures, joint capital and mutual interest," Shaposhnikov added.

Article ID: 205