OREANDA-NEWS. On 21 August 2009 was announced, that Government of Karelia and PKC Group Oyj (Finland) had signed the Agreement on Cooperation and Interaction. Its purpose is to undertake joint actions directed on minimization of consequences of financial and economic crisis and maintenance of effective and steady work of enterprises of the concern in Kostomuksha. From the Government of republic the Agreement was signed by Prime Minister Pavel Chernov, from the Concern – by its President Harri Suutari.

PKC Group Oyj owns four enterprises operating in Karelia, the most famous of which is Karhakos. According to Harri Suutari, financial crisis has caused conditions extremely adverse for further work of enterprises, and they became noncompetitive. In January management of the Concern has requested assistance from the Head of Karelia Sergey Katanandov, who has initiated a working group to studying situation at the enterprises. Then the decision was made to signing the Agreement on Cooperation.

– The Agreement we have signed observes interests of the Governments of Karelia, and of the Concern, – Prime Minister Pavel Chernov has told. - We are interested to keep the Concern's presence in the republic. Obligations undertaken by the Government are to be executed by all means.

For example, to preserve the number of employees of the enterprises of the Concern the Government undertakes to assist in participation of enterprises in the regional program of employment of population in the republic. Also it undertakes to consider granting income and corporate property tax exemptions. A number of other obligations is also stipulated.

President of the PKC Group Oyj Concern Harri Suutari noted that he was glad to sign the Agreement. "We know what to do to help the enterprise to survive, to help it stay in the Russian market," – President of the Concern has told. Now some problems have been worked through and solved. In particular, the basic community of workers of enterprises of the Concern is preserved, which makes 700 people.

According to the Agreement, the concern undertakes to take measures on preservation of production, provide steady work of enterprises, preserve the number of employees of enterprises and their employment and exclusion of mass lay-offs. Besides, at the enterprises there should be preserved operating social programs and, workers should receive wages in due time. All these obligations, according to the President of the PKC Group Oyj Harri Suutari, are usual work for the Concern, now only issued in official frameworks.

Prime Minister Pavel Chernov has wished good luck to enterprises in the period of hard work for them. He has also informed, that the created working group will continue to keep track of the situation at enterprises of the Concern, and the Government of Karelia will held them whenever possible. Harri Suutari, in turn, has asked to convey thanks to the Head of Karelia for support already rendered to the Concern.