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The Fifth Annual CNCP Conference, Kazan 17-19 July 2007
This annual conference brings together representatives of the closed nuclear cities, enterprises and institutes, British experts and the Programme leadership from both the British and Russian sides. Discussions covered CNCP operation in each city, as well across the whole of Russia. The Programme's success in Uzbekistan was highlighted as an example of progress being made in other FSU countries. The Programme's successes The success of the Partnership was indicated by an increase in the number of successful projects and the quantity of new jobs created in the five cities. Among the measures being introduced are a system of bank interest rate compensation and leasing schemes. Productive working relationships have been established with the administrations of all of the cities, and fruitful cooperation is being conducted with ISTC in some areas. Among the issues that need to be addressed are the challenge of hiring former nuclear specialists, particularly in Zheleznogorsk and poor communication with the top-management of nuclear enterprises. Two projects were unsuccessful. The conference heard that CNCP initiated, reviewed and approved funding for 59 projects related to the establishment of new production and the creation of new jobs in the closed Russian cities. This totalled £ 18.2 million GBP, with £ 7.9 million GBP (about 43%) provided by the Programme. It is anticipated that 1,625 new jobs will be created, 1,070 of them for former Rosatom employees. To date 697 new jobs have been created, including 360 for former nuclear staff. CNCP Programme Manager Greg Kaiser said that in April 2007, within a year of the Programme development strategy for the next four years having been accepted, performance criteria indicated that targets were likely to be exceeded. Many participants stressed the importance of exchanges, including study tours and trips, and special training for entrepreneurs, and leaders of the city administration, enterprises and scientific centres. Despite facing challenges in building cooperation within the framework of the partnership projects with foreign colleagues, the Programme plans to continue its efforts in these areas. Business Development Agencies (BDAs) attracted particular interest from conference delegates. Representatives of cities without BDAs expressed their interest in creating them. CNCP priorities Programme Leader Patrick Gray identified the following as CNCP priorities for the next year:
Almost all conference participants spoke highly of the Programme's successes achieved during a comparatively short implementation period. New forms of cooperation and Partnership development were suggested. A decision was made to implement exclusively knowledge-intensive technological projects in Zheleznogorsk, offering high salaries that might attract former MCK employees. The difficulty faced in developing SCC projects in Seversk is to be resolved through support to non-core businesses spun-off from the city-forming enterprise, and the development of new industrial clusters in the city. These will be based around the oil, gas and wood processing industries, nanotechnologies, and energy-saving technologies. Trevor Hayward, Assistant Director of International Nuclear Policy and DTI Programmes told delegates that the British Ministry funding CNCP is now called the UK Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. He also drew everyone's attention to the latest G8 Summit where the success of the Global Partnership was discussed, as well as its continuation after 2012. Energy saving offers potential Mark Allington talked about the great potential for energy saving in Russia and on how this industry might be best used to employ highly-skilled nuclear specialists. He said he believed Russia spends three times as much energy on the manufacture of one unit as other European countries with 50% of expenses being caused by its irrational utilization. He said the potential for developing energy-saving companies in the closed cities will be discussed at CNCP next workshop scheduled for September 2007. Cooperation with Novouralsk The Head of the Novouralsk City Administration and ZATO Association President Leonid Penskikh expressed his understanding and appreciation of the Programme. He wondered why his city was not yet involved. He said he was certain that this situation will change and was especially interested in the idea of establishing a BDA in Novouralsk. He also suggested developing cooperation with the Closed Nuclear Cities Association. Summing up, delegates agreed that this was one of the most fruitful CNCP conferences so far, where impressive work outcomes were presented. Ambitious plans for the programme expansion were proposed, and discussions were held about the near future, a crucial time for the Partnership and ZATOs. Delegates agreed it was vital to act quickly in order to prepare for the major changes being brought about by the restructuring of industry and closure of the reactors in Seversk and Zheleznogorsk.
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