OREANDA-NEWS. During his visit to the plant, which is part of EVRAZ Group, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev familiarised himself with rail production. Accompanied by the plant’s top managers, Mr Medvedev visited all shops of the rail production chain: the electric arc furnace, rail-and-beam, bar section and sheet mill shops. At the conclusion of his visit, Mr Medvedev spoke with the plant’s workers in the finished products shop.

Transcript of Dmitry Medvedev’s conversation with employees of the EVRAZ Consolidated West Siberian Metallurgical Plant:

Dmitry Medvedev: Good afternoon. First of all, I would like to say that it is very interesting for me to be here. This is my first time here, and, of course, the new production facility looks very impressive. I would like to know how your work is going, and what your mood is. How are your wages, and what are your future plans in general?

Question: And we would like to ask your opinion. You have walked through our workshop. We are very proud of it because this is our home … 

Dmitry Medvedev: The workshop is really cool and impressive.

Question: Yes. Have you seen our first 100-metre tracks?

Dmitry Medvedev: Yes, I have.

Question: These are our own, Russian-made tracks. Were you overcome with pride?

Dmitry Medvedev: You know, to be honest, I have never been familiar with this production process. When they explained all this to me, I learned that that this was the latest technology in railway transport development. No matter what they say, Russia will have to expand its high-speed railways network. And, of course, all high-speed railways have these tracks. So, not only was I overcome with pride, I felt truly pleased, and I would like to congratulate you on this.

But, most importantly, the tracks must now pass the tests. Are the tests scheduled to end late this year? 

Answer: Yes.

Dmitry Medvedev: Will the tracks be tested in Shcherbinka or somewhere else?

Answer: In Shcherbinka.

Dmitry Medvedev: Commercial production will be launched after that.

Remark: We will definitely pass the tests.

Question: Mr Medvedev, you have seen our production facility, and you have probably assessed the scale of the work that we have carried out. Currently, our enterprise …

Dmitry Medvedev: I have assessed the scale of your work, and, frankly speaking, the scale of investment. To be honest, the scale of investment is quite impressive. Of course, the owners should be praised for deciding to make this investment.

Remark: We are now ready to manufacture the entire range of top-quality railway tracks, which conform with global standards. But, considering the current market situation, railway tracks’ prices are the same as those for metal rods and girders. In effect, railway tracks production is far more metal-intensive and capital-intensive. That’s why, in order to ensure the subsequent development of our enterprise and our future, and in order to raise wages …

Dmitry Medvedev: You must raise prices.