‘The year 2009 has been more or less stable and quiet for our company. Some of our key customers never let us down, but, unfortunately, a number of others, like Uralmashzavod, were not so reliable,’ Heating Energy Sales Director of TGK-9 Elena Malakhova said at a press conference in Yekaterinburg.

‘As far as the regional towns and cities are concerned, Yekaterinburg and Berezovskiy councils paid their bills every month, maintained good payment level, and influenced their non-paying management companies effectively. However, things are still not as bright in Kamensk-Uralskiy, Krasnoturinsk, or Verkhnyaya Pyshma,’ she added.

‘All in all, the regional enterprises and town councils owe TGK-9 over 3.3 billion RUR at the moment. This sum mainly comprises the debt of municipal enterprises, and it is highly likely to increase,’ Ms Malakhova observed.