Ural to make trucks in Haldia

Russian Ural heavy duty trucks have completed trials in India successfully and the plant for their assembly at Haldia would start shortly under an agreement signed in October 2003 by India's Motijug group and Russia's Uralaz Trading House.

The Ural trucks would initially use only Russian auto parts but some parts would be made in India later, he hinted.

A Russian delegation from the mineral-rich Kemerovo region will visit West Bengal soon to explore opportunities to set up joint venture projects, Said Zabitov, senior consul and deputy head, consulate general of Russian Federation in Kolkata, said.

Speaking at a meeting organised by Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) and Capexil , Zabitov said, "The delegation from Kemerovo will look for joint ventures in mining."

Russian technology could make the 22 underground Coal India Ltd (CIL) mines in West Bengal, now facing closure, viable once again.

In addition, the delegation will explore joint activities in inland water transportation, specially night transportation, and related infrastructure.

Zabitov said the declining quality of Indian tea that Russians to turn to Sri Lankan tea.

Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan are participated in the meeting.