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A business breakfast was organized for representatives of French and German companies in the representative office of Kaluga Region Government in Moscow on November 20, 2014  to discuss various issues related to industrial localization in Russian regions using Kaluga Region as a benchmark.  The event was attended by Anatoly Artamonov, Kaluga Region Governor,  Pavel Shinsky, Director General, French-Russian Chamberof Commerce, Michael Harms, the head of Moscow representative office of the German Chambers of Commerce Association, as well as representatives of French and German businesses.  

The attendees shared their views on the future of investment projects in Russia in general and in Kaluga Region in particular.  Currently 149 investment projects are being implemented in Kaluga Region.  Ten industrial parks have been established as well as Lyudinovo industrial special economic zone (its area equals 610 ha). US$13.8 billion have been attracted to the regional economy since 2006.

The major share of German and French  investments has been made in the automotive industry. For instance, Faurecia of France and Continental of Germany have established three auto component plants each in Kaluga Region.    

French and German companies also take an active part in development of other clusters. In Detchino, Kaluga Region, has been established the first agriculture technology  cluster in Russia, which includes the plants of a number of German companies, including Grimme, Big Dutchman, Lemken and Wolf System.

Anatoly Artamonov said: “We will do our best to ensure comfortable environment for businesses operating in the region. We are implementing a number of projects strategically important for the region development despite difficulties faced by the Russian economy. The list of such projects includes the construction of an international airport. We should make the environment comfortable for business”.  In the near future Ermolino international airport for low cost airlines (passenger flow – up to 8 million) and Kaluga airport (passenger flow – up to 178,000 per annum) are to be commissioned.  

Georgy Rotov, Continental Kaluga OOO Director General, said: “Our business is totally safe as the degree of its localization is rather high. We do not depend on market fluctuations. Even in such a turbulent period businesses in Kaluga Region are not disturbed as all agreements are implemented”.