They discussed topical issues concerning the company’s activities in Russian and international markets.
Vladimir Yakunin reported to the head of state on the growth of transportation within the country. Last year Russian Railways carried 1,5 billion passengers, a figure that exceeds that of 2004 by ten percent. On 20 April 2006 the amount of cargo transported by Russian Railways reached 4 million 68 thousand tonnes, the highest amount in the past 13 years.
The company is going to actively participate in implementing major infrastructure projects in the south of Russia, the Urals, in Siberia and in the Far East. Building new tracks will increase access to mineral resources. One such project involves building a 200 km railway track to the nickel mines in the Chita Region.
The head of Russian Railways also talked about the company’s plans to develop cooperation with foreign partners.
Negotiations to establish major logistical centres in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary are currently taking place.
An agreement has been signed with German railways to establish a company that will transport Chinese cargo to Europe through Russia.
Vladimir Yakunin informed the President about the many proposals from North African and Arab countries to develop local railway infrastructure.
During the conference Strategic Partnership 1520, representatives of the railways of Russia, Finland, Mongolia, the CIS member states, and the Baltic countries signed a document on joint operating rules designed to facilitate the integration of their railway systems.