MINSK, 16 September (BelTA) – Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov visited OAO Integral, the managing company of the holding company Integral, on 16 September as part of a working trip, BelTA has learned.
During the tour of the enterprise Andrei Kobyakov was made familiar with the company's financial performance and the implementation of investment projects meant to start manufacturing cutting-edge microelectronic components. The Prime Minister had a look at the products Integral Company makes and examined the manufacturing facilities.
The company's Director General Vitaly Solodukha explained that Integral Company is now implementing a number of investment projects. The number includes the development of the proprietary design center and the development of manufacturing processes using 150mm diameter wafers. The projects have already begun and are supposed to end in 2017-2018.
The executive underlined that increasing the volume of export is the main goal of Integral Company at present. “Taking into account the complicated situation in 2016 we intend to keep last year's export volume and gain 5-7% on top of it if we can,” said Vitaly Solodukha. In 2015 Integral Company exported $83.5 million worth of merchandise. Russia buys 80% of the output while the rest is shipped to Southeastern Asia.
According to the source, the company takes an active part in programs of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. “We have already completed the Union State program Osnova. The concept for the new program Microtech is in development. Getting it approved by the Russian side is difficult for now. The program provides for working out more modern technologies to make microelectronics products,” explained the company's Director General.
Speaking about the employment of young specialists, Vitaly Solodukha noted that fewer young specialists leave the company these days. “Young specialists now willingly take the jobs. In the past young specialists would work for two years and quit. But none has quit for two years now. The situation has been reversed,” he stated. This year the company welcomed 237 young specialists, including 95 right out of university.
During the working trip Prime Minister of Belarus Andrei Kobyakov was also made familiar with the operation of the metalworking company Olmiservis and the laser systems manufacturer Solar LS.
OAO Integral is the managing company of the holding company Integral. The company designs, manufactures, and exports microelectronic components and electronics (microchips, semiconductor devices, and liquid-crystal indicators). In 2015 the company's output exceeded Br1.5 trillion (before redenomination).
