Kazakhstan should have its own aerospace industry - Pipistrel General Manager Ivo Boscarol
A presentation of the projects of the Slovenian company Pipistrel has recently been held in Astana.
Pipistrel General Manager Ivo Boscarol told about plans on cooperation with Kazakhstan to a Kazinform correspondent.
Mr. Boscarol, as you know, Kazakhstan implements the state program of forced industrial innovative development. What technologies does your company propose for introduction in our country?
For about 25 years our company is engaged in manufacturing light aircrafts. We presented Pipistrel company in Astana and assured ourselves that your country has an interest in high technologies, including the field of aircraft construction. We are ready for cooperation and we can not only to sell our aircrafts in Kazakhstan, but organize their production in your country.
What is the difference of your aircrafts from other vehicles of this class? What are their advantages over aircrafts of other companies?
First of all, our aircrafts are very economical in terms of energy consumption. Our aircrafts have very good characteristics, which meet all modern aviation standards. We sell our aircrafts to various countries of the world, and in terms of efficiency, environmental friendliness, as well as the use of modern technologies, we are a leading company in the production of light aircrafts.
I can also say that our vehicles are affordable - they cost like an executive-class car.
You noted that you use high technologies in manufacturing your aircrafts. What technologies it is?
Our aircrafts are made of plastics and composite materials for 90 percent, and only for 10 percent - of the traditional aluminum and titanium alloys. Modern composite materials in many respects are superior to metal alloys for strength, for durability. There is also used ceramics. Heat resistance of these materials is very important as well.
Do you consider that your aircrafts will be attractive for our businessmen?
Yes, and I think, that they are best suited for medium business, where a time is important, as well as for heads of regional administrations and remote settlements for the organization of important and urgent meetings. In my opinion, such aircrafts will be in demand in your country.
How promising will be creation of a plant on manufacturing your aircrafts in Kazakhstan?
I think that here there are better prospects than in many other countries. Your country ranks 9th in the world in the territory and has a population of 17 million people. I have always been interested in Kazakhstan. We know that Kazakhstan implements many innovative projects within the state program of forced industrial innovative development. Your country adopted strategic decision, which way your economy will develop. There are countries that possess high technologies, and there are countries that do not possess such technologies. Talking about Kazakhstan, of course, it will refer to the countries that possess high technologies. And this means, that your country should have its own aerospace industry. We know that one aviation plant is under creation in Karaganda - there will be produced aircrafts for agriculture. And our aircrafts are universal and could be used widely in various spheres.
There is another circumstance that allows us to rely on the successful cooperation with Kazakhstan. Your President set a task on increase of the Kazakh content, and it is very important for the country's economy development. The Kazakh content in our production can be very high, because you have aluminum and titanium as well as develop polymer industry. Also you have a high level of education, i.e. it is possible to train specialists for new production. We are open for any cooperation.
In your opinion, how favorable is business climate in Kazakhstan?
We know that your country created good conditions for development of industry. Creating an enterprise in Kazakhstan, we will have opportunity to trade free throughout the Customs Union, and this is a very large market.
Do you already have specific plans on production location?
No, we have not yet adopted such decision. Our representative in Kazakhstan is representation office Slovenian House headed by Joseph Meh. The Slovenian House closely cooperates with leading Kazakh ministries - the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, Ministry of Transport and Communications. The representation office will choose partners for us. I am confident that our company will be able to make its contribution to implementation of industrial innovative program.
Thank you for the interview.
