OREANDA-NEWS. Viktor Yanukovych, the president of Ukraine; Rinat Akhmetov, the president of System Capital Management; and Igor Syry, the CEO of Metinvest Group took part in a celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of Zaporizhstal in Zaporizhya's Magar Theatre on November 14.

During the celebration, Yanukovych congratulated the employees of the plant and emphasized the importance of the technical modernization of the nation's metallurgical complex.

Viktor Yanukovych, the President of Ukraine:

“The Ukrainian metallurgic complex is the foundation of the economic power of our country and the basis of its competitive potential. Zaporizhstal is the most important part and one of the flagships of black metallurgy in Ukraine. Zaporizhstal continues growing and developing despite the global economic crisis. It develops not only production volumes but the level of employees' salaries as well. The large-scale modernization of Zaporizhstal and startup of new equipment in 2013 are the achievements of the plant's personnel. The introduction of new technologies facilitates a reduction in the emission of harmful substances.

“Today, the objective of the plant is to become one of the most modern metallurgic enterprises in Eastern Europe. To do this, they have developed a program for investment projects to 2020. There is a complex program that has been implemented since August 2012 and has been aimed at improving product quality, introducing new technologies, and expanding products.”

Rinat Akhmetov, President of SCM (Metinvest's major shareholder):

“I would like to say that Zaporizhstal has great traditions. And we are very ambitious. And our ambitions are aimed at modernization. Our ambitions are aimed at effective production. Our ambitions are aimed at clean air. And what's most importantly is that our ambitions bring benefit to the city, the region and every family in Zaporizhya.”

Igor Syry, CEO of Metinvest Group, presented awards to the enterprise's employees. He emphasized that the plant has always been a leader in introducing new technology and it continues to invest in innovations.

Igor Syry, CEO of Metinvest Group:

“Today, the management of the enterprise has ambitious goals to implement investment projects aimed at increasing its competitive performance, effectiveness and improving the ecological situation in the city. I believe that we will meet the challenges and Zaporizhstal will have a great future.”