Concern over slow reform of Russia???s shipyards

The Russian prime minister Viktor Zubkov has expressed concern over a slow reform of the civilian ship building industry at a meeting of the cabinet on Thursday. ???The civilian ship building industry is going through no easy times. The existing production capacities badly need modernization, while the accumulated scientific- technical potential and new projects have not been put into practical life,?? Zubkov said.

The development of the civilian fleet is an important task that needs particular attention and energetic action, he said. The Russian president had earlier repeatedly voiced these problems and the government had considered them and issued corresponding instructions. Nevertheless, the process of the reforms of the industry is slow, Zubkov stressed.

There is a strong demand for sea transport on world markets because of a growing competition for oil and gas resources on the continental shelf. ???Making Russia’s shipbuilding industry highly competitive meets the interests of the national economy. A dynamic development of this industry will trigger development of affiliated industries and help create more work places,?? Zubkov said.

He called for more active involvement of the institutions of development into this process, referring to the activities of the Foreign Trade Bank as an example that focuses on the development of the shipbuilding industry as one of its priorities. Zubkov called for joint efforts to be made by the state, business and the institutions of development, which will help uncover all the potential of the industry, ensure its advantageous competitive position and take over a considerable share of the world sales market.