A Nizhny Novgorod manufacturer of electric transport plans to launch a new production facility in the “Kulibin” SEZ

The Belarusian‑Russian joint venture “Nizhekotrans” plans to launch high‑tech production of electric transport on the territory of special economic zone “Kulibin” in Dzerzhinsk.

For reference, the enterprise was established at the end of 2022. During the third quarter of the current year, the plant plans to fully complete the contract for the renewal of the rolling stock for the needs of Nizhny Novgorod, including 170 trams and 62 electric buses. The company has also fulfilled an order for the production of tram cars for Krasnodar.

On the territory of the “Kulibin” SEZ, it is planned to create a high‑tech and robotized production facility, which will make it possible to expand the range of promising products.

Currently, the development of a promising line of hybrid and electric passenger transport is underway.

“Nizhekotrans” is a subsidiary of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation.

“Due to a reduction in the volume of orders for the existing product line, a decision was made to relaunch the “Nizhekotrans” enterprise. The purchase of the leased premises used by the plant in Vorsma and its reconstruction, taking into account the financial costs and the availability of the preferential territory of the “Kulibin” SEZ in the region, were deemed unfeasible for financial reasons. Unfortunately, during the period of establishing the new production facility, the company’s staff size will be optimized. To assist the employees affected by this measure, we are working together with the authorities to explore options for their employment at other enterprises in the region,” said Igor Ishchenko, Director General of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation.

The situation is being monitored by the Ministry of Demography and Human Capital Development of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

“The restructuring of the enterprise and the associated optimization is an economically justified, but temporary, stage in the reformatting of production. Every employee affected by the optimization will receive personal support. The production experience of these specialists is in high demand. The Nizhny Novgorod Job Centre “Work of Russia” has compiled lists of alternative job openings at related enterprises in the region. If there is a need to change specialization, the job center will help to select a professional retraining program under the “Personnel” national project,” added Igor Pantyukhin, Minister of Demography and Human Capital Development.