Global economies are struggling to bear the impact of the pandemic, especially business representatives, most of whom have not been able to regain their quarantine positions and performance.

At the same time, there is a slowdown not only in production, but also in consumption. According to expert data, quarantine measures related to coronavirus around the world have already affected businesses more than the financial crisis of 2008. However, there are exceptions — those who have managed not only to "revive" their assets, but also to increase them. YDD Corporation LLP, for example, is launching the third furnace of a plant for the production of high-quality ferrosilicon.

According to the founders of the plant, Yerlan Nigmatulin, David Kemertelidze and Zharmukhamed Appaz, such success lies in the effective structuring of business processes, timely optimization of the transport logistics scheme, competent construction of production cycles, as well as sales policy.

The capacity of the third furnace is 85.5 MVA, with its commissioning, the total production capacity of the ferroalloy plant of YDD Corporation LLP will increase by 30% and amount to 180 thousand tons per year.

— Today is a significant day for the YDD Corporation team, as for the first time we launched the furnace without the help of foreign specialists. That is why I would like to express my gratitude to our employees, partners, and contractors who were able to implement plans to increase the plant's productivity. This proves once again that the company employs highly qualified specialists who are able to bring Made in Kazakhstan products to the international level. The plant's products meet the highest global quality requirements. During the pandemic, we managed to expand our sales geography to 15 countries and develop the export potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the moment, the plant exports products to more than 37 countries around the world. Today, the main sales markets are Japan, South Korea, Europe, America, etc.," said Yerlan Nigmatulin, founder of YDD Corporation LLP.

It was possible to maintain current production volumes during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic due to the fact that the company's shareholders created all the necessary conditions for the transition from a shift schedule to a shift work method.

— We are glad that, regardless of the situation around the world, the launch of the furnace took place according to the planned schedule. The Karaganda Ferroalloy Plant is a message to the global investment community about the opportunities of the Kazakh economy and the investment climate provided by the leadership of the Republic of Kazakhstan. I have worked in various countries around the world, including European countries, where the investment climate is traditionally considered attractive. However, nowhere in the world have I seen such a thoughtful and functional service for investors from the government," founder David Kemertelidze commented on the news.

— The pandemic has become a real challenge for the population, especially during the state of emergency. It is pleasant to realize that in such difficult times we have managed to create additional jobs for Karaganda residents. The launch of the third furnace will undoubtedly be a positive boost for the region and will have a positive multiplier effect," Zharmukhamed Appaz, founder of YDD Corporation LLP, shared his thoughts.

The share of the Kazakh content of the project was more than 95%, the construction of the high—tech plant was financed by Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC (DBK, a subsidiary of Baiterek Holding), one of the country's main financial institutions specializing in the evaluation and structuring of large investment projects.

— The YDD Corporation plant is a key and illustrative project of DBK, the borrower's high payment discipline is exemplary, all maintenance payments are made on time according to schedule. Despite the negative effects of the pandemic and the slowdown in production worldwide, the company is launching its third furnace and increasing production capacity. This step has a positive effect on the economic and social development of the region. Speaking on a national scale, such high—tech production of ferrosilicon develops the export potential of the republic — this is very important for us," said Abai Sarkulov, Chairman of the DBK Management Board.

The founders of the YDD Corporation ferroalloy plant, Yerlan Nigmatulin, David Kemertelidze and Zharmukhamed Appaz, showed their civic initiative and high consciousness at a difficult time for everyone and were among the first to provide charitable assistance and support to their compatriots, offering their reliable shoulder to the state. The company allocated 100 million tenge to the Karaganda Regional Fund, created to support state actions in a state of emergency. Humanitarian aid was also provided: 100 oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters and the drug Enoxaparin were transferred to hospitals in the Karaganda region in July for the treatment of coronavirus patients. In August, 10 passenger cars were donated for the work of mobile groups of polyclinics, designed to carry out medical measures, transport and monitor the condition of patients at the pre-hospital stage and equipped with suitcases of emergency medical care.

The opening of the YDD Corporation LLP plant took place in July 2019. The main focus is the production of high—quality, high-grade ferrosilicon (FeSi75), which is used in the production and alloying of steel and cast iron alloys to improve the mechanical and corrosion resistance of ferrosilicon metals. The production capacity of the plant is 180 thousand tons of products per year. The plant was built using the latest technologies, the production process is fully automated. The total cost of building the YDD Corporation plant was about $92 million. The project was implemented entirely at the expense of private funds from Kazakhstani and European investors, with the involvement of DBK debt financing under the SPIID (24.1 billion tenge for a period of 11 years at 8.9% per annum).