OREANDA-NEWS. Metalloinvest has signed a social partnership programme for 2014 as part of the Agreement for Socio-Economic Co-operation with the administration of the Kursk region and Zheleznogorsk. The document was signed by Andrey Varichev, CEO of Management Company METALLOINVEST; Alexander Mikhailov, Governor of the Kursk region; and Viktor Solntsev, the Mayor of Zheleznogorsk.

The programme provides for a number of mutual obligations related to priority investment projects aimed at the social development of the region and the town where Mikhailovsky GOK, one of the Company's main divisions, operates. In 2013, the overall amount contributed to the projects of the social partnership programme by the region, the town and Metalloinvest totalled approximately RUR 570 million. The Company provided approximately RUR 300 million for the programme.

Metalloinvest CEO, Andrey Varichev said, “The sustainable development of the locations where our staff live and work is an important condition for creating a successful future and for Metalloinvest. Therefore, we are eager to actively take part in implementing priority programmes for Zhelznogorsk and the Kursk region. As past experience shows, the participants in this partnership are doing it successfully.”

As part of the three-party agreement, a range of important social projects has been implemented: a covered ice rink has been built; a branch of the regional oncology centre has been opened; capital repairs to two kindergartens and school have been carried out; and part of the highway to the Kursk has been reconstructed.

Alexander Mikhailov, Governor of the Kursk region, said: “By co-operating with Metalloinvest and combining our efforts, we can tackle important issues in the region more efficiently and comprehensively. The Company fulfils all of its commitments that are set out in the Agreement and by the end of last year had actually exceeded its planned contributions to financing different projects. I am sure that our co-operation will continue to have a positive effect in the future.”

In 2014, the co-operation between the agreement's participants will continue in the following areas: the development of educational institutions; contribution to the development of public health service, and children's and professional sport; contribution to improving the urban environment by developing the infrastructure of Zheleznogorsk and the surrounding areas and improving the neighbourhood; upgrading systems to improve children's health and organising summer activities for children; safeguarding and developing the religious, cultural and historical values of the Kursk region.

The development of Metalloinvest's other programmes will continue, including: “Healthy Child”, “Women's Health”, and “School of Communal Good”.

Metalloinvest also plans to provide funds for the reconstruction of primary school #1, and for the construction of a new kindergarten in the thirteenth district and a health-and-fitness centre on Dimitrov Street.

The three parties intend to contribute approximately RUR 830 million to the social partnership programme in 2014. Metalloinvest will provide RUR 460 million of this amount.