Comments on: Stratgeic alliances in North East Asia: Railways, ports, and energy http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/ News and analysis of the North Korean economy Sun, 18 May 2008 11:40:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: North Korean Economy Watch » Blog Archive » China vs. Russia for control of Raijin (part 3) http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-47280 North Korean Economy Watch » Blog Archive » China vs. Russia for control of Raijin (part 3) Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:23:16 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-47280 [...] of the broader strategic concerns can be found here, here, and [...] […] of the broader strategic concerns can be found here, here, and […]

]]> By: Werner Koidl http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40436 Werner Koidl Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:54:03 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40436 The link "brochure of Taebaeksan-96" given by Gag Halfrunt seems to indicate that the KamAZ Taebaeksan-96 is assembled in a joint venture with Ryongwang Trading Company of North Korea. Ryongwang Trading is also the joint venture partner of Pyeonghwa Motors (Unification Church) to assemble the "Whiparam" in Nampo. And Ryongwang Trading company is also business partner of "Kohas" company from Switzerland. And because of its connections to Ryongwang this Swiss company got in troubles with the US administration. The link “brochure of Taebaeksan-96″ given by Gag Halfrunt seems to indicate that the KamAZ Taebaeksan-96 is assembled in a joint venture with Ryongwang Trading Company of North Korea. Ryongwang Trading is also the joint venture partner of Pyeonghwa Motors (Unification Church) to assemble the “Whiparam” in Nampo. And Ryongwang Trading company is also business partner of “Kohas” company from Switzerland. And because of its connections to Ryongwang this Swiss company got in troubles with the US administration.

]]> By: North Korean Economy Watch » Blog Archive » Russian auto plant KamAZ in DPRK http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40400 North Korean Economy Watch » Blog Archive » Russian auto plant KamAZ in DPRK Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:39:24 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40400 [...] Koidl Says:    In that Asia Times report Dr. Petrov wrote: “… Last year the Russian auto plant KamAZ opened its first assembly line in North Korea, [...] […] Koidl Says:    In that Asia Times report Dr. Petrov wrote: “… Last year the Russian auto plant KamAZ opened its first assembly line in North Korea, […]

]]> By: Gag Halfrunt http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40119 Gag Halfrunt Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:32:50 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40119 Now that explains the <a href="http://www.korea-dpr.com/business/Truck.pdf" rel="nofollow">brochure for the Taebaeksan 96</a> I'd noticed on the Korean Friendship Association's <a href="http://www.korea-dpr.com/business/exports.htm" rel="nofollow">exports page</a>. I was wondering how anyone could be making money from sticking badges on KamAZes and trying to sell them on. In any case, the export potential for the Taebaeksan 96 must be close to zero, since anyone outside the DPRK who wants a KamAZ can buy one assembled by KamAZ itself. Trying to drum up interest in the DPRK as an investment destination, the KFA <a href="http://www.korea-dpr.com/business/" rel="nofollow">say</a>, "All business made directly with the government, state-owned companies. No middle agents." This is amusing, because, on the <a href="http://www.korea-dpr.com/business/DPRK-cars.pdf" rel="nofollow">Pyeonghwa car brochure</a> on the KFA website, they've sneakily deleted Pyeonghwa's own contact details and replaced them with the KFA's email and web addresses. I think this qualifies them a "middle agent" standing between Pyeonghwa and any potential export customers... Now that explains the brochure for the Taebaeksan 96 I’d noticed on the Korean Friendship Association’s exports page. I was wondering how anyone could be making money from sticking badges on KamAZes and trying to sell them on. In any case, the export potential for the Taebaeksan 96 must be close to zero, since anyone outside the DPRK who wants a KamAZ can buy one assembled by KamAZ itself.

Trying to drum up interest in the DPRK as an investment destination, the KFA say, “All business made directly with the government, state-owned companies. No middle agents.” This is amusing, because, on the Pyeonghwa car brochure on the KFA website, they’ve sneakily deleted Pyeonghwa’s own contact details and replaced them with the KFA’s email and web addresses. I think this qualifies them a “middle agent” standing between Pyeonghwa and any potential export customers…

]]> By: Leonid Petrov http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40110 Leonid Petrov Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:48:14 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40110 Concerning the "Taebaeksan 96" truck assembling plant, the KamAZ set it up last year (2007 or Juche 96) in the town of Pyeongseong. The terms of this deal with NK were really "friendly" and last year KamAZ was having no or very little profit. The production volume last year was very limited (45 or 48 trucks). However, it's just the beginning of such cooperation. There is one technician-representative from KamAZ who manages the assembling process. He stays in Pot'onggang HTL and commutes to Pyeongseong. Many North Korean drivers and technicians seem to be technically ignorant (i.e. not knowing how to change the engine oil, etc.), so they need a new technological culture to be introduced. Russians train them well and the North Koreans are grateful. LP Concerning the “Taebaeksan 96″ truck assembling plant, the KamAZ set it up last year (2007 or Juche 96) in the town of Pyeongseong. The terms of this deal with NK were really “friendly” and last year KamAZ was having no or very little profit. The production volume last year was very limited (45 or 48 trucks). However, it’s just the beginning of such cooperation.

There is one technician-representative from KamAZ who manages the assembling process. He stays in Pot’onggang HTL and commutes to Pyeongseong. Many North Korean drivers and technicians seem to be technically ignorant (i.e. not knowing how to change the engine oil, etc.), so they need a new technological culture to be introduced. Russians train them well and the North Koreans are grateful.

LP

]]> By: Werner Koidl http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40075 Werner Koidl Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:01:40 +0000 http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2008/03/04/stratgeic-alliances-in-north-east-asia-railways-ports-and-energy/#comment-40075 In that Asia Times report Dr. Petrov wrote: ... Last year the Russian auto plant KamAZ opened its first assembly line in North Korea, specializing in the production of medium-size trucks named "Taebaeksan-96". ... I would be interested in more details about that KAMAZ truck assembly line in North Korea ! Where ?, joint venture ?, size ? In that Asia Times report Dr. Petrov wrote:
… Last year the Russian auto plant KamAZ opened its first assembly line in North Korea, specializing in the production of medium-size trucks named “Taebaeksan-96″. …

I would be interested in more details about that KAMAZ truck assembly line in North Korea ! Where ?, joint venture ?, size ?

]]>