DUSHANBE , April 3, Asia-Plus - On March 31, “Russky Aluminy” (Russian Aluminum or RusAl) marked the 6 ^th anniversary of its establishment. 

On the same day, the RusAl representative office in Dushanbe gave news conference on this occasion in the building of the state printing-house “Sharqi Ozod”. 

Konstantin Zagrebelny, head of the RusAl company’s representative office in Tajikistan , speaking to journalists said that RusAl intend to open the Center for Social Projects in Tajikistan .  According to him the center will focus on implementation of social and humanitarian projects in Tajikistan .  The main objective of these projects is in creating conditions necessary for improving the social climate in the republic as well as reviving principles mercy and charity, according to him.   

Mr. Zagrebelny said that the center was supposed to be opened in Dushanbe already in May.  “The center will coordinate implementation of all humanitarian and social projects run by RusAl in Tajikistan ,” the RusAl representation head said, noting that the center will be headed by citizen of Tajikistan .  

He stressed that that initiative would pave the way for long-term social investments in Tajikistan .  Such centers operate in all cities and regions where RusAl operates, according to Zagrebelny.  

One of the first plans of the Social Projects Center in Dushanbe is a project aimed at supporting orphanage for polio-suffered children in the Hissor district.  This project includes implementation of a complex program aimed at examination of a state of the education-correction process, refresher courses for the orphanage’s employees, purchase and installation of special equipment, purchase of medicines and textbooks as well as refurbishment of the premises.    

Specialists from Russian children’s organization “Kovcheg” (ark) are supposed to visit the orphanage on April 10 to launch the preparatory work.  

The next RusAl project is the “10 class projects” designed to target sixth-form and eleventh-from pupils at all schools across the country.   The main objective of this program is in promoting development of social initiative at the rising generation.  Under this program each class may draft any socially significant project and submit it for consideration to the Center for Social Projects.  Every year, ten best projects will be selected and they will receive grants for implementing the proposed initiative within twelve months.  The preliminary budget for this program is 100,000 Somonis.  

Besides, RusAl intends to support the “100 sports projects” program in Tajikistan .  The company is supposed to launch this program in cooperation with Tajikistan ’s National Olympic Committee (NOC).  This project is aimed at supporting the country’s national Olympic team and promoting development of sports movement in the republic.   

Aleksandr Kasatkin, a spokesman for the RusAl company’s representative office in Tajikistan , telling the news conference noted that RusAl was making preparations for construction of series of sports grounds and facilities in Dushanbe . 

RusAl is supposed to implement a number of other humanitarian and social projects in Tajikistan .  

In total, Rusal intends to provide several hundreds of dollars in 2006 for implementing social projects.  

RusAl has to date implemented a number of social projects in Tajikistan .  It, in particular, provided humanitarian aid to Tajik areas affected by natural disasters, supported holding of a national variety song contest “Surudi Sol” as well as supported participation of Tajikistan in the Winter Olympic Games in Turin .  Since 2004, a total volume of the company’s investments in Tajikistan has amounted to some US$500,000.  

ABOUT: Rusal is the world''s third largest primary aluminum producer, providing primary aluminum and value-added casthouse products to customers in 50 countries. With operations in 9 regions of Russia and 12 countries globally RusAl now accounts for 75 per cent of aluminum production in Russia and 10 per cent internationally.  RusAl was established in March 2000 through a merger of several largest aluminum smelters and alumina refineries in the CIS is headquartered in Moscow and has 47 000 employees.