VII Forum of interregional cooperation between RK and RF with the agenda: high technologies and sustainable development – areas of collaboration is scheduled 6-7 September, current year in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Agreements reached at the previous meetings gave an impetus to big regional projects and settled a range of topical issues in transport and communications, customs work and border control. In run up to the forum the oblast governor Berdybek Saparbayev made a talk of the region’s advantages.

-Our “pluses” are a 1000-km border with Russia, the oblast’s advanced positions in trade turnover, and of course, working for over ten years a coordination council of four border states within the so called “people’s diplomacy” - “Altai is our common home” initiated by EKO.

Apart from big honor and responsibility, the hosting region receives big opportunities for new projects, which is of special importance for our oblast with vast industrial, personnel and intellectual potential: we need investments for its use at full force - why not with the Russians then? The more especially as the Russian Siberia with developed industry, agriculture and concentration of scientific research institutes is near at hand.

We could interact in engineering, energy branch, supplies of special equipment, light industry and agro-output’s processing. That’s why additionally to the forthcoming forum we plan to organize a meeting with participation of businessmen from other Russian regions, apart from the border oblasts.

AIC reserves have also an untapped potential for collaboration: we may supply meat to Russia in big volumes due to 5mn cattle stock. Moreover, our region is a monopolist in deer farming and antlers production in Kazakhstan. Only our close neighbors – Republic of Altai has developed this branch.

We should jointly settle problems in it, particularly in elaboration of common price- policy, selection and pedigree work.

Unfortunately by date zinc, gold, silver and lead make up the lion share of our export to RF. We have 259 joint ventures, but their activity is restricted by trade, construction and construction materials’ manufacturing, non-ferrous and noble metals. Most of them at that apply outdated technologies and equipment. That’s why at the forthcoming forum they stake on innovations. Common customs space provides painless technologies’ transfer.

“First swallows” are in flight already: a joint venture manufacturing de-vulcanized rubber crumb used in road construction on European standards is being created on our territory. The Russian side is ready to provide chemical reagents and equipment. First consignment of bitumen modifiers will be manufactured in 2011. We have strong and time-tested relations with Russia in culture and education. Now it’s high time to develop economic cooperation.

According to Albert Rau, deputy minister of industry and new technologies, 1/3 of all projects in the republican industrialization Map has been initiated by East Kazakhstan oblast. The fact speaks in favor of the regional potential. At the same time there are historically formed “niches” of industrial cooperation with RF which have not been taken up so far, I mean atomic industry. Can you offer concrete projects in this area for consideration at the forum?

We have developments in the National nuclear center on atom’s use in peaceful purposes and we invited Russian specialists in this branch with academician Yevgeny Velihov to the forum. The state program 2010-2014 for industrial development in RK implies creation of a full nuclear-fuel cycle.

Nuclear energy is the only alternative able to cover mankind’s growing demand for energy under the circumstances of reducing traditional energy sources. Kazakhstan possesses 19% of the world explored uranium reserves; moreover, high technological businesses of atomic energy – Ulbinsk metallurgic plant for instance and the Institute of atomic energy of RK National nuclear center are in our oblast. At the forum four memoranda on mutual cooperation in new productions on the base of nuclear technologies are planned for signing.

Our closet neighbors – Russia and China actively construct nuclear power stations using peaceful atom for electric power. Kazakhstan plans to commission NPS only by 2020. Meanwhile energy shortage in our oblast alone makes up one billion kilowatt/hour already at that proportionally growing with rates of industrial development. Are such topics as trans-border electricity cross-flow and restoration of a single electric power system as it was in the former USSR possible on the forum’s agenda?

As for NPS construction, five regions for the object’s location are being considered. We try to convince them in its expediency in the east. There is no real alternative to NPS in settlement of such problem as growing energy deficit.

Of course a reserve is possible if we construct a cascade of mini-hydro-power stations. Now we are seeking investors. But they are only projects so far.

As for electricity cross-flow, the Customs union and common economic space are created for use of the neighbors’ opportunities by all the participants. If there is a surplus of electric power in Russia why should not they give it to Kazakhstan? But to-date after the accident at Sayano-Shushensk HPS, vice versa we will help Russia.

Victoria Shevchenko

East Kazakhstan oblast