The population of the Irkutsk region is 2.8 million (about 2 percent of Russia's total population), with major centers in Irkutsk (587,000) Angarsk (272,000), Bratsk (283,000), and Usolye Sibirskoye (195,000). Four other towns (Ust-Ilimsk, Cheremkovo, Ust-Kut, and Tulun) have populations between 50,000 and 100,000. The overall population density is 3.7 persons per square kilometer, compared to 8.7 in Russia as a whole. The social and political situation of the region is considered to be among the most stable in Russia.
At the beginning of the century, much of the region's development was connected with the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, which crosses the southern part of the region, and the Taishet-Baikal-Amur Railway branch line, which crosses the region's northern districts. The Trans-Siberian Railroad remains the most important transportation network in the region and annually services more than 57 million tons of freight, mostly timber, coal, oil products, ferrous and nonferrous metals, and construction materials. Airports in Irkutsk, Bratsk, and Ust-Ulimsk serve all classes of aircraft and offer direct international flights to Beijing, Shenyan, Nigata, Seoul, and Ulan-Bator. Roads are used for overland freight to western Russia, as well as to China and Mongolia. Pipelines bring oil from Western Siberia to the Angarsk Oil Refinery; oil is also shipped via rail from Angarsk to refineries in Khabarovsk and Komsomolsk-on-Amur..
The Irkutsk region is rich in mineral resources and has industrial deposits of potassium, table salt, mica, talc, titanium, and niobium, as well as a variety of materials used in the construction industry. The area remains among Russia's major gold-producing regions, and a newly-discovered deposit at Sukhoi Log may be able to produce up to 50 tons of gold annually. Brown and hard coal are mined in Cheremkhovo, Tulun and Ust-Ilim. Development of rich oil and gas deposits is expected to permit an increase in export production by local refineries. Ferrous metallurgy is represented by production of iron ore concentrate, while non-ferrous metallurgical enterprises produce aluminum and aluminum alloys, silumin, and gold. The machine-building and metal-working sector produces and repairs river vessels, road-building equipment, and assorted machinery for the metallurgical and petrochemical industries.
IRKUTSKENERGO Corporation is one of Russia's largest producers of power and heat. The corporation operates 36 facilities, including thirteen thermal power plants and three hydroelectric stations: the Irkutsk Hydroelectric Station (660,000 kw), the Bratsk Hydroelectric Station (4.5 million kw), and the Ust-Ilimsk Hydroelectric Station (3.84 million kw). In 1995, Irkutskenergo produced a total of 58.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. Since 1994, leaders of Irkutskenergo have been negotiatin with Chinese companies regarding construction of a 2,300-kilometer segment of a 1,500-volt transmission line from Bratsk to Beijing or Shenyan. The $1.5 billion project is based on projected transmission of 25 billion kilowatt-hours per year. Both Russian and Chinese partners seek investors for the project.
There are more than 1,550 industrial enterprises operating in the Irkutsk region. The combination of rich natural resources, a strong power complex providing cheap electricity, a diversified industrial structure with a well-developed processing sector, and a good transportation system have been vital ingredients for the development of the region and have moderated some of the production declines being experienced in other Russian regions. The following table represents annual industrial output of the Irkutsk region during 1994:
PRODUCT IRKUTSK SHARE OF
RUSSIAN TOTAL
PULP (THOUSAND TONS) 612.7 47.8%
ALUMINUM (TH. TONS) 893.3 40%
CAUSTIC SODA (TH. TONS) 209.8 18.4%
PLASTICS & SYNTHETIC ROSIN (TH. TONS) 222.3 13.4%
LUMBER (MIL. CUBIC M) 8.7 11.8%
PRIMARY FUEL PROCESSING (MILLION TONS) 17.0 9.2%
SAWN-TIMBER (MIL. CUBIC M) 1.6 8.5%
ELECTRICITY (BILL. KW/H) 57.4 6.6%
IRON-ORE (MILLION TONS) 4.5 6.1%
COAL (MILLION TONS) 15.6 5.8%
FERTILIZERS (TH. TONS) 229.8 3.1%
CEMENT (TH. TONS) 529.1 1.4%
About 10 percent of Russia's timber reserves are located in Irkutsk, and the region produces 12-14 percent of the country's timber products. During the last ten years, the timber industry has accounted for 15 to 25 percent of the region's total industrial output. The regional administration estimates that the 200 enterprises operating in the timber industry have the capacity to produce 40 million cubic meters of timber and 1.5 million tons of pulp (cellulose) annually. In 1995, the region exported 780,000 tons of cellulose, 500,000 cubic meters of sawn timber, and the same amount of logs. Currently, 75 timber joint ventures have been registered in Irkutsk, half of which involve partners from former Soviet republics. According to officials at the Analytical Department of the Regional Timber Policy Committee, most regional timber producing/processing companies are in need of modern equipment and machinery.
The petrochemical industry in Irkutsk is one of the most developed in Russia and employs approximately 60,000 workers. A network of closely interrelated enterprises engaged in oil refining, petrochemical, chemical, biochemical and pharmaceutical production accounts for one-third of the region's industrial output. The Angarsk oil refinery processes 24 million tons per year and is the largest fuel supplier in eastern Russia. The Sayansk complex has the capacity to produce 130,000 tons of caustic soda per year, 250,00 tons of different sorts of synthetic resin, and 130,000 tons of chlorine. The Usolsk chemical complex consists of seven major facilities which produce caustic soda (110,000 tons), suspension resin (110,00 tons), fertilizers, pesticides, artificial crystals for the aerospace industry, tetrachloroethane, and a wide range of paints and lacquers.
The Usolsk Khimfarmkombinat is a major producer of pharmaceuticals, although only three of its ten production lines are currently in operation. Microbiological production is mainly located in Angarsk, where more than 120,000 tons of proteins are synthesized. Also in Angarsk, there is a special chemical plant producing a broad variety (600-700 types) of especially pure reagents. Officials report that the region exports 50 percent of its chemical production.
In April 1993, the joint-stock company "Finprom" was established with the goal of stimulating development of a market economy. The corporation, founded by the Regional Property Fund and the Regional Committee for Property Management, owns 10-20 percent of the shares and stock in more than 50 regional enterprises, including most of the region's leading enterprises. Finprom's Security Fund provides Russian and foreign investors with guarantees based on financial resources and stock of industrial enterprises, as well as natural resouve.
The Eastern Siberian Chamber of Trade and Industry (ESCTI) operates in Irkutsk, as well as Novosibirsk, Omsk, Tomsk, Kemerovo, Chita regions, Krasnoyarsk and Altay territories, and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutiya). During the last two years this organization has served mainly enterprises in Irkutsk. In 1995, ESCTI was recognized among Russia's four largest chambers, after Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Krasnodar. At present, the Irkutsk Chamber has 100 members, including the largest banks and industrial enterprises of the region, and employs 150 persons. ESCTI publishes an information bulletin and offers matchmaking assistance. Leaders of the chamber expressed strong interest in development of cooperation with U.S. companies and trade promotion organizations. In the near future, ESCTI will be electronically connected to a business information center operating in Germany which provides its clients with commercial information.
150 regional enterprises are engaged in foreign economic activity with more than 80 countries. There are 25 Russian-American joint ventures operating in the region, and the total number of joint ventures registered by Irkutsk administration exceeds 280. Statistics provided by regional officials indicate that Irkutsk is Russia's largest exporter of aluminum, timber and timber products and pulp. In 1995, international trade turnover was about $4 billion, with the following approximate shares: fuel, minerals, metals - 52 percent; timber products and pulp - 27 percent; chemical products -13 percent; machinery and equipment - 1 percent. In 1995, the region had exports to the United States of $640 million and imports of $53 million. During the first half of 1996 these figures were $266 million and $44 million, respectively.
[...] Boris Vasilyev, Vice-Governor and head of the International Economic Department, pointed out that creation of favorable business environment for foreign investment is a priority of the regional administration. In December, "The Baikal Business Center" (BBC) is to be opened. Billed as the largest commercial complex in Siberia, the BBC is located in a 10-story modern office complex with exhibition facilities and a 4-star hotel for 75 guests.
Sibexpocentre, Irkutsk's leading international exhibition organizer, sponsors a number of trade events each year. The following is a select list of events scheduled for 1997:
JANUARY 22-25 CINEMA-PHOTO-VIDEO FEBRUARY 5-8 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FEBRUARY 19-22 BANK SERVICES, INVESTMENTS AND SECURITIES MARCH 26-29 PACKAGING EQUIPMENT APRIL 23-26 "SIBVESNA-97" (GENERAL) MAY 21-24 "STROYINDUSTRY-97" (BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION) MAY 21-24 HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES JUNE 4-7 "SIBAUTOSERVICE" (CAR PARTS AND SERVICES) JUNE 18-21 RECREATION AND SPORTS AUGUST 27-30 CHILDREN'S CLOTHES AND TOYS SEPTEMBER 24-27 "INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSAL IRKUTSK FAIR" OCTOBER 8-11 "SIBERIAN PUBLIC HEALTH" OCTOBER 22-25 "HARVEST-97: FOODPROCESSING EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGIES" NOVEMBER 12-15 WOOD-PROCESSING EQUIPMENTADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THESE EVENTS IS AVAILABLE FROM SIBEXPOCENTRE: 37 KARL MARX STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664011 TEL: +7 (3952) 336727, 333452 FAX: +7 (3952) 343-641 TELEX: 231815 EXPO RU
"FINPROM" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY 38 MARATA STREET 0R P.O. BOX 50 IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664000 TEL: +7 (395) 346570 OR 346-579 FAX: +7 (395) 346574 TELETYPE: 231-350 BRIZ PRESIDENT: VITALIY IVANOV GENERAL MANAGER OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT: SERGEY MENDYUK "IRKUTSKENERGO" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY 3 SUKHE-BATOR STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA TEL: +7 (3952) 288305 OR 275234 FAX: +7 (3952) 288899 DIRECTOR GENERAL: VICTOR BOROVSKIY "RUSIA" PETROLEUM COMPANY 36 DEPUTATSKAYA STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664047 TEL: +7 (3952) 430641, 348591 FAX: +7 (3952) 432222, 277514 DIRECTOR GENERAL: LEV PLATONOV "ANGARSKNEFTEORGSINTEZ" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY ANGARSK, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 665458 TEL: +7 (39518)71581 NOTE: PRODUCES ALCOHOL, AMINO ACIDS, PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE, TRANSFORMER AND ENGINE OILS, AND JET FUEL. "IRKUTSKKABEL" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY SHELEKHOV, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 666020 TEL: +7 (39510) 22433 FAX: +7 (39510) 23862 NOTE: PRODUCES DIFFERENT TYPES OF WIRES, POWER CABLES WITH PAPER-IMPREGNATED INSULATION, CONTROL CABLES, AND CONSUMER GOODS. "KHIMPROM" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY USOLYE-SIBIRSKOYE, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 665470 TEL: (7-39543) 57696 FAX: (7-39543) 33934 NOTE: PRODUCES CARBIDE, CAUSTIC SODA, CHLORINE, PVS PITCH, MONOCRYSTALS, AND EPICHLORINECHYDRIDE. "KHIMPROM" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY SAYANSK, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA, 665358 TEL: +7 (39513) 4646 NOTE: PRODUCES CAUSTIC SODA, PVC PITCH, CHLORINE-4 CARBON, AND HYDROCHLORIC ACID "KHIMPHARMCOMBINAT" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY USOLYE-SIBIRSKOYE IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 665776 TEL: +7 (39543) 32353 UST-ILIMSKIY TIMBER PROCESSING COMPLEX UST-ILIMSK, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 665776 TEL: +7 (39535) 92266 FAX: +7 (39535) 71505 NOTE: PRODUCES PULP, TIMBER MATERIALS, RESIN BRATSK TIMBER PROCESSING COMPLEX BRATSK, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 665718 TEL: +7 (3953) 438113 FAX: +7 (3953) 441048 NOTE: PRODUCES PULP, CAUSTIC SODA, LEAD, TALLOW OIL, LIQUID CHLORINE, PLYWOOD, AND OTHER TIMBER MATERIALS. BAIKAL PULP PLANT BAIKALSK, SLYUDYANSKY DISTRICT, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 665914 TEL: +7 (39542) 427 FAX: +7 (39542) 2285 NOTE: PRODUCTION OF PULP, WRAPPING PAPER, TALLOW OIL, AND TURPENTINE. BRATSK ALUMINUM PLANT BRATSK, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 665716 TEL: +7 (3953) 441751 FAX: +7 (3953) 439216 NOTE: PRODUCES ROLLED AND PIG ALUMINUM IRKUTSK ALUMINUM PLANT SHELEKHOV, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA 666020 TEL: +7 (39510) 22255 FAX: +7 (39510) 21929 NOTE: PRODUCES ROLLED AND PIG ALUMINUM "VOSTSIBUGOL" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664674 TEL: +7 (3952) 273347 FAX: +7 (3952) 275237 NOTE: LARGE PRODUCER OF COAL AND COAL CONCENTRATE "VOSTOKSLUDA" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664695 TEL: +7 (3952) 244070 NOTE: MICA "BAIKALAVIA" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664009 TEL: +7 (3952) 286304, 95792 NOTE: CARGO AND PASSENGER AIR TRANSPORTATION IRKUTSK AVIATION PRODUCTION UNION IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664020 TEL: +7 (3952) 429443 OR 420519 FAX: +7 (3952) 421535 NOTE: AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION. "IRKUTSKLESPROM" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664003 TEL: +7 (3952) 277225 OR 277214 FAX: +7 (3952) 277261
"BAIKALIT" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664009 TEL: +7 (3952) 347379 FAX: +7 (3952) 278145 TRADES IN BROAD RANGE OF CONSUMER GOODS, OPERATES INTERNATIONALLY "YERMAK" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY 16 DZERZHINSKI STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664003 TEL: +7 (3952) 348711 FAX: +7 (3952) 333902 ENGAGED IN EXPORT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, IMPORT OF TECHNOLOGIES, MEDICINES, FOOD, CONSUMER GOODS. "VENTA LTD" TRADING COMPANY 1 OKTYABRSKOY REVOLYUTSII STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664007 TEL: +7 (3952) 349470 OR 349447 FAX: +7 (3952) 349447 IMPORTS FOOD PRODUCTS, EQUIPMENT FOR TRADING FIRMS "VOSTOKSIBCOM" JOINT-STOCK COMPANY 2 MOPRA STREET, OFFICE 118 IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664026 TEL/FAX: +7 (3952) 331468 HOME APPLIANCES, INDUSTRIAL HEATERS EVRODIZAIN COMPANY 24 KIEVSKAYA STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664003 TEL/FAX: +7 (3952) 284135 CONSTRUCTION, HOUSE REPAIRING MATERIALS IRKUTSK CENTER OF METROLOGY, CERTIFICATION AND STANDARDIZATION 8 CHEKHOVA STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 665011 TEL: +7 (3952) 344897 OR 344805 FAX: +7 (3952) 340804 YEFIM DAVYDOV ADVERTISING COMPANY 1 PARTIZANSKAYA STREET, OFFICE 74 IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664003 TEL: +7 (3952) 275530 OR 333430 FAX: +7 (3052) 274679 THE COMPANY CAN ARRANGE ADVERTISING IN ANY REGION OF SIBERIA. SIBEXPOCENTER (IRKUTSK INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER) 37 KARL MARX STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664011 TEL: +7 (3952) 336705 OR 336727 FAX: +7 (3952) 343641 DIRECTOR GENERAL: MR. KOTSAR THE EASTERN SIBERIAN CHAMBER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY 16 SUKHE-BATORA STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664003 TEL/FAX: +7 (3952) 335116 E-MAIL: TPP23@RFCCI.ROSPAC.MSK.SU VICE-PRESIDENT: ALEXANDER LAY BAIKAL BUSINESS CENTER 279 BAIKALSKAYA STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664050 TEL: +7 (3952) 351736 FAX: +7 (3952) 350923 COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: VERA SHERESHKOVA
A. BANKS WITH GENERAL LICENSES ISSUED BY THE CENTRAL BANK OF RUSSIA: VOSTSIBKOMBANK 12 ROSSIYSKAYA STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA TEL: +7 (3952) 334148 FAX: +7 (3952) 334202 PRESIDENT: TAMARA TSARIK RUSSIAN-ASIAN STOCK BANK 35 TIMERYAZEVA IRKUTSK, RUSSIA TEL: +7 (3952) 274662 PRESIDENT: FLER BABTRAKINOV B. BANKS LICENSED TO CONDUCT FOREIGN CURRENCY OPERATIONS: KOMSOTBANK 16 LENIN STREET IRKUTSK, RUSSIA TEL: +7 (3952) 349593 PRESIDENT: LIDIA NECHAYEVA ANGARSK BANK 30 LENIN STREET ANGARSK, IRKUTSK REGION, RUSSIA TEL: + 7 (39510) 22566 PRESIDENT: TAMARA MOKHOVA BAIKALSKY BANK 7 ZHUKOVA STREET, IRKUTSK, RUSSIA TEL: +7 (3952) 421162 PRESIDENT: OLGA KRASNOPYOROVA
IRKUTSK-BAIKAL INTOURIST 44 GAGARIN BOULEVARD IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664055 TEL: +7 (3952) 296315 OR 290167 FAX: +7 (3952) 277872 DIRECTOR GENERAL: E. LUKYANCHIKOV NOTE: THE COMPANY OPERATES TWO HOTELS IN D0WNTOWN IRKUTSK WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE 500 PERSONS, AS WELL AS A HOTEL ON THE SHORE OF LAKE BAIKAL WITH 200-PERSON CAPACITY. GRAND HOTELS TOUR COMPANY 3 PERVAYA SOVETSKAYA STREET, IRKUTSK, RUSSIA 664003 TEL: +7 (3952) 348335 OR 278335 FAX: +7 (3952) 348335 OR 336904 "RUS" HOTEL TEL/FAX: +7 (3952) 271530 CONTACT PERSON: SERGEY MARKOV NOTE: SAFE, WELL-RUN HOTEL WHICH IS OWNED BY THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT.