OREANDA-NEWS. September 7, 2007. The two men discussed the draft of the “Strategic Development of Russian Rail Transport until 2030,” which has been developed at the initiative of Russian Railways.
“The idea of the plan is to eliminate bottlenecks in the rail sector by 2030, solve the problem of the main stock wearing out and laying new track and main lines to the main areas of the country’s economic growth,” said Vladimir Yakunin.

The estimated cost of the programme is 13 trillion roubles, which will be invested in developing main lines and industrial rail transport, in other words approach lines to companies and ports.

Yakunin said the programme had been agreed with all the regions where there are railways.

OREANDA-NEWS. September 7, 2007. Uralkali (Berezniki, Perm Region) has allocated 80 million rubles to finance the renovation of a school and a kindergarten in Berezniki. This financial aid was provided under Phase 1 of the Uralkali Integrated Program, aimed at the revival of patronage traditions at a new level.

The first object of the Uralkali patronage program was School No. 9, which had for many years been under the patronage of one of the Company's divisions. Thanks to the aid provided, the School No. 9 started the new academic year looking renovated. The capital repairs cost about 40 million rubles. Uralkali plans to continue providing regular assistance to this school to create conditions for high quality education, allocating required funds for the development of educational programs, further training of teachers, and improvement of facilities of this educational institution.

In addition, the company allocated about 40 million rubles for the renovation of Kindergarten No. 88, which had not seen any capital repairs in its 20-year history.

The funds provided by Uralkali will also be used for enhancing security for the school and kindergarten by reinforcing security services and installing outdoor surveillance video cameras. Uralkali is also willing to finance improvements to the catering services for the kindergarten, for which purpose a catering company will be selected by Uralkali and the city administration on a bidding basis.

As early as 2008, it is planned to establish a gymnasium and a center for the development of preschool children, on the basis of School No. 9 and Kindergarten No. 88 respectively.
Vladislav Baumgertner, Uralkali Deputy Director General:

- Last year, Uralkali started implementing its Program for Cooperation with Higher Educational Institutions, providing for improvements in the training of specialists needed for the company. To make this program as efficient as possible, it is necessary to develop new forms of education, starting from the preschool level. Undoubtedly, this is a challenging task, but I am sure that the city's other companies are interested in continuity of personnel will follow suit.
Sergey Dyakov, Uralkali Deputy Director General, member of the Perm Region Legislative Assembly (a United Russia representative):

Our company confirms its willingness to take an active part in the implementation of high-priority national projects carried out in this city. Investing in education is investing in our future. By taking care of educational improvements for children, we are making a hefty contribution in the development of our city, where our main production facilities are located. Uralkali is pursuing a long-term personnel policy, which is also in the interests of Berezniki and its residents. Children who receive high quality education from young age on here in Berezniki may some day join teams of competent specialists of companies and organizations operating in this city.