Together with nine Dutch companies, NLR has signed a covenant. Under the agreement, the Dutch government will co-finance marketing and other activities whereby the companies hope to secure a number of airport redevelopment contracts in Russia, with a value of between 2.5 million and 5 million euros, over the coming three-year period. In the longer term, projects worth between 20 million and 25 million euros are likely to become available. The covenant is the initiative of NACO (Netherlands Airport Consultants).
Fifteen airports in Russia have already been earmarked for redevelopment with work due to commence within three years. The signatories wish to take advantage of the market opportunities thus created by making their knowledge and expertise available to Russian partners. The covenant also covers joint promotion, investment, research, training and cooperation within the civil aviation sector in both countries. The Dutch government has agreed to contribute fifty per cent of the cost of these activities, for which a total budget of EUR 815,000 has been set. The other half will be contributed by the private sector parties themselves.
Together with Dutch partners and Russian decision makers, this agreement enables NLR to clearly formulate solutions. NLR will focus mainly on the Russian challenges in the field of aviation, including security, air traffic management, training and environment.
The possibility of clustering Dutch companies to serve the Russian aviation market was raised in October 2011. This proposal gave rise to the ‘Dutch Aviation Solutions Russia’ programme, which will now receive formal government support under the covenant. The relevant funding will be provided as part of the new ‘Partners for International Business’ programme, which is managed by NL Agency on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.
Alongside NLR and NACO, the signatories to the covenant are ACTM (Airport Commerce & Talent Management), Districon, FSC (Flight Simulation Company), Royal HaskoningDHV Moscow, SGI Aviation, Stratagem Group and Vanderlande Industries. The companies will operate under the joint name ‘Dutch Aviation Solutions Russia’ (DASR).
