OREANDA-NEWS. March 23, 2011. A cooperation agreement between the Government of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District-Yugra and SOGAZ Insurance Group was signed by Yugra Governor Natalia Komarova and Chairman of SOGAZ Insurance Group Management Board Vadim Yanov in Khanty-Mansiysk on 15 March, 2011.

The agreement aims to find efficient solutions to the problems of integrated social and economic development of the district, improving social protection for the population and businesses and providing insurance coverage for their proprietary interests.

In particular, SOGAZ has expressed its intention to promote the creation of a positive image and increasing investment attractiveness of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District, facilitate the attraction of long-term investment from its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the development and implementation of insurance programs and projects for the purposes of the district’s economic development, and assist in new job creation. Besides, the company is prepared to consider participation in financing investment programs focused on social and economic development of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District, as well as involvement in charity events.

Natalia Komarova pointed out that Yugra’s Government is interested in having a major and reliable insurance company like SOGAZ operating in the autonomous district. “It will provide a wider choice of insurance offers for the population and businesses. A stronger competition in this sector offers maximum opportunities for selecting the best insurance product from the point of view of quality, scope and price of services. The lines of joint activities stipulated by the agreement are related to very diverse services, from ordinary compensation for loss of property to insurance coverage of hazardous production facilities. The latter is very important for us because there are a lot of industrial hazards in the district”, notes Natalia Komarova.

According to Vadim Yanov, Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District-Yugra is one of the most attractive regions from the point of view of business development. “SOGAZ has been operating in the district for over 15 years and we hope that this agreement will become an important step on the way to a civilized insurance market and contribute to a higher quality and accessibility of insurance services. SOGAZ has also accumulated great experience in insurance coverage for major investment projects and is prepared to provide the Government with necessary assistance in creation of an efficient economic control system for the region’s budgetary expenditures on these purposes”, notes Vadim Yanov.

The agreement between the Government of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District and SOGAZ Insurance Group has been signed for a term of one year and may be further extended.

SOGAZ Insurance Group, one of Russia’s largest federal-level insurance companies, has been present in Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District since 1995. The company’s affiliates and branches providing almost all kinds of insurance services operate in Surgut, Nizhnevartovsk, Nefteyugansk, Yugorsk, Nyagan and Sovetsky. SOGAZ’s customers include a whole range of the region’s largest oil and gas, energy, transport and construction businesses and financial companies. The total premiums collected by SOGAZ in Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District in 2010 (excluding compulsory medical insurance) amounted to RUR 2.96 billion.