Commissioning of TMZ to strengthen the position of Uzbekistan on world markets - expert

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- MetProm Group of Companies is Russia’s leading design and construction organization in the field of metallurgy. In Uzbekistan, it carries out the design of the Tashkent metallurgical plant (TMZ), its construction, commissioning and personnel training. The President of MetProm Andrei Deineko told what the company had to face in the implementation of this project, what are its prospects and whether the Russian company intends to continue its cooperation with Uzbek partners.

- Andrei Dmitrievich, tell us about the plans for the launch of the plant and the timing of the project?

- Tashkent Metallurgical Plant (TMZ) is an enterprise for the production of cold-rolled sheet metal with protective coatings with a capacity of 500 thousand tonnes of metal products per year, of which 200 thousand tonnes are hot-dip galvanized steel, 300 thousand tonnes - rolled products with polymer coatings.

I want to note that TMZ is a Greenfield project. That is, the plant is built on a free, previously undeveloped land, which has no ready infrastructure. Therefore, all networks, communications, roads, it was necessary to create from scratch. This is a big complex project. In addition to the main workshop building, it includes the construction of water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, nitrogen, hydrogen, compressor and pumping stations, warehouses for various purposes, administrative and business buildings.

When designing, we also paid great attention to the environmental safety of the plant, which is of particular importance, given its close proximity to the capital of Uzbekistan. The company’s specialists have developed a set of measures aimed at eliminating the negative impact of the new production on the environment. The project uses the most advanced resource-saving and environmentally friendly technologies, highly efficient regeneration systems, a closed water circulation cycle and much more.

The project implementation as an EPC contractor MetProm began in June 2017. Over the past period, a comprehensive design of the plant was carried out taking into account the regulatory requirements of the republic, engineering of the main production lines and infrastructure facilities was carried out, and the supplier of equipment was determined.

Currently, the project is at the stage of intensive construction and installation works. The construction of the main plant of the plant is being completed, the foundations for technological and auxiliary equipment are being built, the construction of infrastructure facilities, external networks and pipe racks and energy carriers continues. In March of this year, the delivery of technological equipment began. We expect to meet the construction deadlines set by the customer and release the first rental at the end of this year.

- What are the prospects for the plant under construction in the domestic market of Uzbekistan, in the region of Central Asia and access to far-abroad markets?

- “Before the project started, the customer carried out marketing research, estimated the capacity of the Uzbek market, determined the prospects for entering international markets, made a feasibility study and calculated the production capacity on their basis.

Based on the customer’s assignment by the MetProm group of companies, a supplier of technologies and equipment was selected on a competitive basis - one of the largest and most reputable global manufacturers. When choosing a supplier, not only the cost of the equipment was taken into account, but, above all, the use of the most modern technological and technical solutions and know-how, low production costs and high quality of finished products, confirmed by the supplier.

Thanks to the chosen technology, the plant will produce high-margin products in specified volumes for the construction industry, engineering and other industries.

The commissioning of the Tashkent Metallurgical Plant will help to ensure the domestic market of the republic with high-quality metal-roll, import substitution and an increase in the share of products with high value-added national production.

- How are your relationships with the customer in the course of the project?

- The implementation of such a large-scale and technologically complex project from scratch requires the coordination of efforts of both the EPC contractor and the customer. I want to note that the project is being implemented in the shortest possible time for the construction of large metallurgical facilities (the average construction period for similar industries is from 3 to 5 years).

We have the most constructive relationship with the TMZ management team, all issues that arise are resolved quickly and as efficiently as possible. Only with such joint well-coordinated work can the project be implemented as scheduled.

- Tell us about the future plans of the MetProm group of companies on the development of the metallurgical industry in Uzbekistan?

- We are interested in cooperation and plan further development of long-term relations with enterprises of Uzbekistan, as this is a very promising and dynamically developing market. We are currently working on options for implementing several projects in various regions of the country.

- Andrei Dmitrievich, are there any difficulties in the company’s activities in Uzbekistan? How do you assess the ongoing changes in the country’s economy?

- Thanks to the reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan aimed at increasing the industrial potential, modernization, technical and technological re-equipment of the leading sectors of the economy by creating a favorable business climate and state support for investment, the country’s economy has shown impressive positive dynamics for several years.

From this point of view, the construction project of the Tashkent Metallurgical Plant corresponds to the state development priorities of the republic - ensuring sustainable and balanced growth rates and macroeconomic stability.

Therefore, the construction of the TMZ is receiving increased attention from the leadership of the country and state structures. In accordance with the adopted decisions, the project is supported by specialized ministries, departments and state-owned enterprises, including the Tashkent Khokimiyat. In addition, the plant for the period of construction provided tax benefits and other preferences.

It should also be said that this project is a vivid example of public-private partnership. The Fund for Reconstruction and Development, Asaka Bank and Uzpromstroybank, and from the Russian Federation Roseximbank and EXIAR (included in the Russian Export Center) are taking part in significant financing of the project from Uzbekistan.

Metallurgy, as a basic industry, makes a significant contribution to GDP and the formation of macroeconomic indicators of the economy of any country. The commissioning of the Tashkent Metallurgical Plant will contribute to the further development of the production potential of Uzbekistan and, as a result, strengthen the position of the republic in the world markets.