Ruslan Baysarov’s Megaproject Will Connect Russia and China

Interview for ET Magazine

- What inspires you in business?

Generally, I'm inspired by unusual projects that combine science and business. New technologies and the speed with which these technologies emerge and are applied to life are rather impressive. Take neural networks, unmanned drones that can now transport people, and high-speed trains, for example. I would also like to mention the BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology for information modeling of infrastructure facilities. BIM, cloud computing, big data, and analysis tools help to accelerate work, ensure compliance with the highest quality and safety standards, and reduce construction and maintenance costs for infrastructure facilities.

- What do you do currently?

As for now, I am interested in large-scale infrastructure projects primarily in the Far East and Siberia that open up new economic opportunities and strengthen Russia's position in the global energy market.

One of the most important ongoing projects is related to the development of the Elegest coal deposit in Tuva with commercial reserves of 855 million tons of coking coal, according to experts. Its overall development requires the creation of appropriate infrastructure. That's why we are building the first railroad in Tuva, the 410-kilometer-long “Elegest-Kyzyl-Kuragino” railroad. The terrain along the railway route is complex as eight tunnels are to be excavated through the rock and 127 bridges are to be built.

In addition, we are building the first cross-border bridges between Russia and China in the Amur River region — one of them is for the highway transport and the other is for the railway. These projects are carried out by SK Most Group of Companies, which has a vast amount of experience in infrastructure construction. The same Group of companies is building the second Baikal tunnel as part of BAM and Trans-Siberian Railroad modernization program. It is also engaged in the expansion of the Sakhalin Railway gauge and in the construction of Moscow metro tunnels along the the Nekrasovskaya line. So the work is in full swing, and a lot of plans ahead.

- Whom do you admire?

I really admire people who, having set a goal, do not turn off the chosen path. One striking example is Jack Ma. He works 24 hours a day, but always finds the time to help his friends with advice.

- Looking back, is there something that you would do differently?

I haven’t made any serious mistakes so far, and I’m convinced that I won’t. And some minor mistakes just enriched my experience.

In general, I prefer not to look back. To look into the future is far more interesting to me. Do you know what book am I reading now? “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow”. The author has an interesting vision of the future, the time when social networks will know what people want better than they do themselves. What kind of life will the billions of people lead when computers start to compete with them in the market? How will a person feel in the era of artificial intelligence? I highly recommend reading it.

- What is your way of doing business?

Life doesn’t stand still, so you need to get fresh knowledge and look for new opportunities constantly. My strategy is business diversification. That’s my belief that in order to bring any idea to life, you need to work hard every day. I get up at 7:30 every morning, go to the gym, and then according to the schedule, I study English and I always have breakfast with my family. My productivity is enhanced by discipline and a sense of responsibility, and my main principle in life is to finish what I start.

- What advice would you give to businessmen starting out?

Don’t be afraid of difficulties. One of my favorite quotes is: “At every crossroad on the way that leads to the future, each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand men appointed to guard the past.” Maurice Maeterlinck said it in far 1911. Little has changed since then. And one more important piece of advice that may help startupers is that you need to stay true to yourself always, in every situation. You are your main source of capital.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.