OREANDA-NEWS. On November 19, 2008 the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region Government and Salym Petroleum Development N.V. (SPD) signed the Cooperation Agreement for 2009-2013 in Khanty-Mansiysk, reported the press-centre of SPD.

The Governor of Yugra Alexander Filipenko and SPD CEO Harry Brekelmans signed the Agreement. This document will replace the current three-year agreement that expires by this year end.

New agreement covers extension of mutually beneficial cooperation aimed to further development of the autonomous region’s industrial and scientific potential, application of the world high technologies in hydrocarbons exploration, oil production and processing, associated petroleum gas use and advanced environmental technologies.

One of the important areas of cooperation is social and economic development of the KMAO and its municipalities. SPD will continue financing of various projects on development of social infrastructure in the region, sponsorship of educational and awareness programs, health, physical fitness and sports projects and large-scale cultural events management.

“Signing of a new long-term Cooperation Agreement with the KMAO Government is one more important step in consolidation and further development of our partnership relations”, commented CEO Harry Brekelmans. – “This is also another confirmation of our commitment to the business social responsibility principles. We have been committed to these principles from the very first days of our activities in the region. As of today, SPD total investments to social projects and charities in the region from the beginning of Salym project implementation in 2003 make US10 million. During the next five years the scope of financing for these purposes will increase by half and amount US 15 million. We consider social investment as an integral part of SPD’s contribution to ensuring the sustainable social and economic development of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Region.”