Paramount Group CEO: We are determined to create a strong export base in Azerbaijan

14:05 GMT, April 9, 2010 Baku | Ivor Ichikowitz, CEO of the New York-based Paramount Group, a partner of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence Industry in producing armored vehicles, recently talked to Rashad Suleymanov of APA. The interview is published below with kind permission by APA.


APA: Mr. Ivor Ichikowitz, could you please give some information about your company’s performance over the past year? How was the Paramount Group’s position in the global market?

Ichikowitz: Paramount Group is a proudly African company with global reach. For many years South Africa has been a world leader in the development of defence and security technologies. My group of companies has invested extensively in developing the next generation of technologies and, in an environment faced with extreme economic difficulties, has been able to produce results, through development and expansion. As a result, we are well on the road to becoming a major player in the global market.


APA: Do you have plans to reach new countries and markets? How was Paramount affected by the global crisis?

Ichikowitz: The Paramount Group has become a significant player in the defence industry. History has shown that this industry thrives during periods of economic downturn. The Group’s performance in the global market has been extremely good over the last 24 months.

Paramount is currently expanding and is actively pursuing new marketing strategies throughout the world. We currently have world leading technologies in both the land forces and aerospace environments and are regularly entering into partnerships with major defence companies throughout the world to increase our global reach.

For example, at the end of last year Paramount signed a strategic agreement with Ashok Leyland, one of India’s largest companies and the biggest supplier of logistical vehicles to the Indian defence force, to manufacture mine protected vehicles in India.

APA: How is co-operation with Azerbaijan What plans do you have for future co-operation?

Ichikowitz: We are extremely excited and inspired by His Excellency, President Ilham Aliyev’s vision and we are fully committed to supporting the Minister of Defence Industry in the creation of a world class defence and aerospace industry. Many of our technologies are appropriate for such needs, and we are determined, together with the Ministry of Defence Industries, to create a strong export base to support the ongoing relationship that we have with Azerbaijan.


APA: The Paramount Group and Azerbaijan jointly started to make MATADOR and MARAUDER Armoured Mine Protected Vehicles in Baku. How is the progress of this work, and how long will this project continue?

Ichikowitz: Azerbaijan has grown and developed at an extremely rapid pace. President Ilham Aliyev’s vision is a shining example of what can be achieved and, as a result, the Ministry of Defence Industry is well positioned to become a strong and industrial hub for the region. The development of the defence and aerospace industry is an essential part in the growth and diversification of the country’s industrial economy.

The Ministry of Defence Industries entered into formal collaboration with us late last year. Since then, the progress has been exceptional and production has now commenced. It is important to explain that this project is about the creation of an Industry in Azerbaijan, and NOT just the supply of equipment. This is, therefore, a permanent ongoing project which will continue and expand into a far more extensive land force and peacekeeping production facility.


APA: Does the Paramount Group take interest in jointly making any other vehicles in Azerbaijan?

Ichikowitz: Paramount Group is involved in the development and industrialisation of many technologies in the aerospace and defence Industry. We are currently investigating a number of joint production opportunities with the Ministry of Defence Industry in respect of land forces, naval and aerospace environments, in order to build on the growing industrial capacity of Azerbaijan.


APA: How are the technical features of MATADOR and MARAUDERS made in Baku? Are these vehicles equipped with weapons? Equipped by the Paramount Group?

Ichikowitz: The MATADOR and MARAUDER vehicles are today the most advanced mine protected armoured personnel carriers in the world. They are specifically designed to protect troops in hostile peacekeeping situations. The philosophy behind this technology is to recognise the value of human life and to ensure that all personnel have the best levels of protection and able to complete their missions. The vehicles have the highest level of mine blast and ballistic protection. Weapon choice and fitment will be determined by the Government of Azerbaijan in accordance with the operational environment.


APA: Do you explore the possibility of exporting these vehicles to other markets from Baku?

Ichikowitz: As indicated previously, we aim to create an industry to support opportunities to countries throughout the region. It is most certainly our intention to look for markets within the region.