Official: Russia’s VEB to take part in Russian-Chinese plane proj

BEIJING, Jun 24 (PRIME) -- Russia’s state Vnesheconombank (VEB) plans to participate in a Russian-Chinese project to create a wide-body long-haul jet, Deputy CEO Andrei Klepach told reporters on Friday.

Presidential aide Yury Ushakov said Wednesday that Russia will sign agreements with China on development and production of a long-distance plane and a helicopter during a visit of President Vladimir Putin to Beijing on Saturday.

Klepach said: “These are comprehensive projects, they are serious and interesting. As soon as the terms are formed, I think, VEB will be able to take part in them, everything depends on the terms,” Klepach said.

He also said that VEB plans to take part in promotion of the Russian short-haul aircraft Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) on the Chinese market.

“VEB is providing loans on promotion of the jet in Mexico and Europe (in particular, Ireland). Sure, when there are specific deals with China, now there are none, we will consider the issue. The United Aircraft Corporation and Sukhoi are our traditional partners, VEB is an export agreement creditor in this case. There are some prospects, the aircraft needs to be certified,” Klepach said.

The SSJ100 certification in China can take two to three years, Trade Representative Alexei Gruzdev said in November 2015.

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