OREANDA-NEWS  On 06 March OJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel (MMC Norilsk Nickel or the Company) announced the opening of its new sales office in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China. The new company is registered in accordance with the law of PRC and holds all necessary licenses and permissions. Today two other offices operate in China including a representative office in Beijing and a sales office in Hong Kong.

As part of their visit to China MMC Norilsk Nickel General Director Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, First Deputy General Director Oleg Pivovarchuk and Deputy General Director Viktor Sprogis met with heads of PRC Ministry of Commerce, China Stainless Steel Council, China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association and with other Chinese partners.

These meetings resulted in important agreements on mutually beneficial cooperation. Memoranda of cooperation with China Stainless Steel Council and China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association were also signed.

Presently, China is one of the biggest consumers of base and precious metals. China is the second biggest consumer of nickel after the European Union. China is also among major PGM consumers that use these metals primarily in jewelry.

MMC Norilsk Nickel considers the People’s Republic of China as a reliable and strategic partner. The Company is a long-standing nickel supplier for PRC stainless steel sector. China’s sustained economic growth strongly supported demand for nearly every product of Norilsk Nickel demonstrating the strong potential for further expansion and improvement of business relationships with Chinese partners.

Vladimir Strzhalkovsky said, "We acknowledge the important role PRC plays in the world economy, notably in base and precious metals markets. The high rate of sustained industrial development in PRC indicates that this role will yet grow stronger in spite of the world economic decline". According to Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, at the time of the global economic recession our countries have an opportunity to take interaction and cooperation between leading companies of PRC and Russia to a higher level.

Since the sales office opened in Hong Kong back in 2004, the Company’s supply to Chinese partners tripled currently standing at 27% of total primary nickel imports to PRC.