OREANDA-NEWS. September 11, 2009. Head of the Republic of Karelia Sergey Katanandov had carried on negotiations with Lukoil oil-and-gas company on further investments into the infrastructure of Karelia.

On September 8 a group of representatives of Lukoil oil-and-gas company led by the of the company President representative director general of Lukoil Severo-Zapadnefteprodukt, Ltd., Vladimir Kaluzhenov was in Petrozavodsk. They have come to Karelia to meet with Sergey Katanandov and negotiate expansion of the company's presence in the Karelian market. The brand of Lukoil does not need special representation; the company already has seven refueling complexes in territory of the republic. Today, despite of the crisis phenomena in the economy, the company considers expansion of the business.

Making comments on the purposes of the visit and meeting with the Head of the republic, Vladimir Kaluzhenov has told:

– We have come to meet with the Head of the republic to our the intention to develop business in the region. We plane to build ten modern refueling complexes in Karelia which would provide the most perfect service and high quality standard of automobile fuel. The company makes fuel according to the world standards. To Lukoil today belong approximately 9% of Karelian market of automobile fuel retails. In immediate prospects we would like to increase this share to about 15%. Of course, we consider it our duty to coordinate these plans with the Head of the republic, to get support for our projects. This was our first working meeting, and specific conditions of investment will be discussed in addition, - Vladimir Kaluzhenov said.

Lukoil company estimates total volume of investments into republic to make about 600 million roubles up to the year 2015. It is supposed that 10 new refueling complexes will create about 150 new workplaces in the republic, or two to three times more if counting with accompanying services.

Sergey Katanandov welcomed investment plans of the company.

– We welcome all fair partners, – Head of the Republic has told, – especially when it concerns a reliable company. Karelia is a transit region with developed road infrastructure, and we are interested to have all famous brands presented in the market of mineral oils, to provide our modern level of service and high quality for our people and enterprises. Finally, development of Lukoil company will also promote development of the territory.