OREANDA-NEWS. Metinvest signed a social partnership agreement for 2013 with the Luhansk Regional Administration and Luhansk Regional Council. Metinvest plans to increase its financing of social programs in the region to UAH 9.5 million this year.

The agreement was signed by Metinvest CEO Igor Syry, Luhansk Regional Governor Vladimir Pristyuk and Luhansk Regional Council Chairman Valerii Golenko.

The most significant projects from the 2012 social partnership were: the purchase of medical equipment for the burn centers at the Luhansk Regional Hospital and the Krasnodon Central City Hospital and the installation of a gas pipeline for the residents of the Novosemeikino settlement. The latter project brought gas to over 500 households for the first time.

2013 is a challenging year for Metinvest and for the metallurgical industry as a whole. Nevertheless, the Company decided to increase its volume of social investments into the region by one million hryvnias to UAH 9.5 million.

The list of major projects that will be financed in 2013 by Metinvest was discussed and selected by an expert council that included representatives from the government, the public and Metinvest.

More than half of all of the financing will support medical facilities in Luhansk and Krasnodon. The large-scale reconstruction of Krasnodon's water supply network is also planned. In addition, the Koshevsky Cultural Center's gymnasium in Sukhodolsk will be repaired.

Metinvest will also increase financing for the following programs: Our City - Our Hands, A Healthy Environment is Everyone's Business, and Volunteering. These programs have already been commenced and support the residents of Krasnodon, Sukhodolsk and Molodogvardeisk. Metinvest will support the Molodaya Gvardia soccer school, which is attended by 100 children.

Vladimir Pristyuk, governor of Luhansk Region:

Today is the second time we are signing a social partnership agreement with Metinvest. The company's management ensures effective cooperation with local government bodies, and provides social assistance to residential areas. The format of the social partnership was done at a regional level for the first time in 2012 and the results were impressive.

Igor Syry, Metinvest Group's CEO:

Metinvest fulfills its social commitments despite difficulties in the global metals & mining industry. In particular, we implemented all of the projects included in last year's partnership agreement with Luhansk region. This year we agreed with the governor to increase Metinvest's social investments into the region to UAH 9.5 million. Like last year, the money will be spent to solve some of the most pressing issues in the region.