wiredInUSA November 2017

Trans-Arctic crossing

Second Ukraine plant

Image: Leoni AG

Reports indicate that Russia and Finland are discussing the creation of a trans-Arctic fiber optic data cable to connect Finland, Norway and Russia with Japan and China. Anne Berner, Finland’s minister of transport and communications, is said to have raised the subject of the possible Arctic data link in a meeting in Moscow with Russia’s minister of communication, Nikolai Nikiforov. Finland’s government said the two discussed how both nations might benefit froma fiber optic data cable across the “top of the world”. “Our aim in Finland is to provide the best possible operating environment for the development of digital services and business opportunities, and to actively engage in international cooperation. One example of this is cooperation between Finland and Russia in intelligent transport systems and services,” Berner is quoted as saying. A report, written by Finland’s former president, Paavo Lipponen, says key countries in the project would be Finland, Norway, Russia, Japan and China. “The submarine section of the cable would be a connection of around 10,500km from Japan and China to Kirkenes in Norway and the Kola peninsula in Russia,” the report said. From Kirkenes, the cable would cross into Finnish Lapland and further south to central Europe.

Leoni has opened a second wiring systems production facility in Ukraine. The new plant is in Kolomyia city in the west of the country. The production area is planned to extend to 25,000m² by 2020, with a total investment of around €20 million. The new plant will produce harnesses and wiring systems for the automotive industry, mainly supplying customers headquartered in Europe. “During the next four years, Leoni will create up to 5,000 jobs in the Ivano- Frankivsk region,” stated Stephan Schmidt, managing director of Leoni Ukraine. “We consider the investment to be an important step for the development of the Ukrainian youth which, we believe, has enormous potential.”

wiredInUSA - November 2017

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