We have merged our assets and Rusal based

Oleg Deripaska, one of the richest men in the world, is an experienced industrialist. He is the head of a giant of mines and metallurgy, Rusal Russian group. The shares of his company are entering awards in Paris and Hong Kong. Oleg Deripaska says in "echos" his career and his vision.

You are a graduate in physics. How you you transformed into a foundry pattern, and then in leading a large group

I much studied physics at the University. But with the fall of the Soviet Union, I had few attractive options before me. If I had continued on this momentum, I would have been a researcher at best, any. Something that I find another route. I therefore immersed in raw materials markets and I became a "broker". Step by step, I learned about metals and their many uses. I was then interested in small business sector. My physicist training lasted six years, during which I did not only of the theory. In Russia, considering also the practical applications, the process in. This University studies much used me to pass the trading industry. Everything can be understood and explained scientifically. Not only production, but also the management, control of the quality of the whole. Whether you're in the industry or agriculture, it is in the same way.

Have what difficulties you encountered during your first not at the head of an industrial estate, Sayanogorsk In the West, there was talk at the time of a war of aluminum in the city nearby Krasnoyarsk...

These events have been much publicized. But, in Russia, it was everywhere such after the collapse of the Soviet Union. All economic ties have been severed. There were more resources, either locally or across the country. A new model had to be put in place. But the criminals took an active part. There's more material to power plants. My goal was then to stay on legality still and fight crime, without ever me away from the right path. In addition, in this period, Krasnoyarsk aluminum plants do me were not. They were controlled by Roman Abramovich Arkadievich. We have merged our assets and Rusal based. Today, it holds more than shares in the company, but we stayed good friends. Since then, I I am used to transform these cities and those territories by assisting in the construction of schools, hospitals and in modernizing the infrastructure.

Spend you a lot of time in your company

I am involved Rusal ten hours per day in normal time. But my usual workday lasts not less than 16 hours.

You have to succeed in simultaneously introducing 10 of the shares of Rusal in Paris and Hong Kong. The early stages of the serious crisis of debt of the group have been completed. What remains to be done

The first objective is to further reduce the debt of Rusal. This is because the banks have confidence in our ability to deliver on our promises that they have given us seven years to resolve this issue. We have therefore all our time to demonstrate the quality of our assets and our men. We also have the opportunity to expand our business in Asian markets. The Russian aluminum industry has seventy-five years. We have personal highly qualified, well trained in all positions. We have developed new technologies, which some are not yet applied to the production. Our expertise is unquestionable and we are going to the show. This experience was already at the time of the Soviet Union. Simply, it is not enough operated.

Is it difficult for a company like yours to access capital in Russia

This is not more complicated than elsewhere. Only, the cost of access to capital is very expensive in Russia.

Creditor banks, and particularly the French, support it

Yes. Our long-term strategy is shared and approved by lending institutions. French banks in particular are our faithful partners for many years. This will continue. They have better mastered the difficulties than their competitors elsewhere. Traditional financial institutions which have addressed the problems caused by the crisis with conventional to have emerged strengthened. From my point of view, however, added the general panic of the end of 2008.

Do you always 25 in Norilsk Nickel as strategic RUSAL assets

Participation in the capital of Norilsk is essential. Many potential synergies exist between our two groups. We are working in the same areas. The two companies avail of assets of a unique quality, even if our respective production costs are different. The product lines are complementary. They range from copper platinum aluminum, nickel and bauxite. Our technology is advanced.

Do you still think merge with Norilsk despite difficult relations with Vladimir Potanin, one of the strong men of this company

We had to abandon the proposed merger in 2008 because of the global financial crisis. But the idea of the formation of a Russian BHP Billiton remains topical. My relationship with Potanin are good for one year. The issue is the creation of a Russian leader global minerals and metals. The vocation of the Russia is to have a numbers in all sectors. We are already one in aluminium and alumina.

Currently you refocus your activities on China and the far East more broadly. Do you think that the Russian Government has helped you in establishing good relations with the Chinese

Of course. The existence of relations of good-neighbourliness between the two countries has certainly played a positive role. The Chinese in Hong Kong demonstrated professionalism, excellent knowledge of the strengths of Rusal and found excellent partners. How to be absent of a market for such dimensions

You are an industrial very engaged in the public life of your country. What nature are your relations with the Executive, with Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Anatolievich Medvedev

My relations with these two men are good and professional. They understand the enormous challenges of our industry. They let me search for solutions to overcome the many obstacles. For my part, I stay in my place and, rather than Moscow, where life is very conspicuous, I prefer by far Krasnodar, where I come from, or Siberia. The people living there are more real. My main goal is to create opportunities for them. Yes, in Russia, today, it is possible to be an economic actor without politics. I am the example.

You're a rich man. How will your finances today

Fine thanks. Too often, we look only at the value of the assets at any given time. Me, this is not my main criterion for evaluation. Mine is the duration of the ability to perpetuate activities and maintain their human capital.

Why do you have favorite Paris in London for your introduction on the stock exchange

I take the bet of continental Europe. You have a large industry, skills were recognized. In the United Kingdom, the industry is not in good shape despite the undeniable quality of its workers. You are better placed to understand the problem of Rusal.

One last question. Are you considering to learn French

Laughs. PAS for the time being.