Opening Remarks of Mr. Claudio Lautizi, General Manager International Operations of SaliniImpregiloat the River Diversion Event

Rogun, Tajikistan, October 29, 2016

Your Excellency President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon,

Excellencies, Distinguished Representatives and Participants of this historical event, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor to be here with you today, to have an opportunity to address this distinguished audience and to share some thoughts on the momentous occasion which we are privileged to attend today: namely, river diversion. This is the most important milestone in the construction of this dam in Tajikistan.

Before addressing the commencement of the civil works, and I am speaking of the construction of the tallestdam in the world–please allow me to start by commending with enthusiasm the increasing engagement  of the distinguished President EmomaliRahomand the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, whoseefforts and visionary initiativesaddress the most important issues, which are aimed at the sustainable development, including industrial, agricultural and environmental development and wellbeing of the people of Tajikistan.

The event we are attending today is a shining example of the commitment of President of the Republic of Tajikistanto mobilize all possible efforts, means and resources in order to successfully implement this most challenging and complex project.

Allow me to convey to you the best wishes and congratulations for this historical event to Mr. President and all people of Tajikistan from our CEO and owner of the companyMr Pietro Salini who unfortunately could not be here today.

Our commitment was clearly stated and confirmed during his visit to Tajikistan in July 2016.

As representative of Salini Impregilo, I can say we are grateful and proud for the opportunity to have a role in such a vital and important infrastructure in Tajikistan.

Salini Impregilo is an international industrial groupspecializing in the construction of large-scale complex infrastructure and a world leader in the water segment. The number of dams constructed – 257 – speaks for itself.Thank you for the trust you have placed in us. On behalf of our company management, my colleagues, including those present here today, I can assure you that the Project receives our full attention and our very best efforts in terms of engineering excellence. We will achieve all targets as we have already started doing it today.

The evidence we have at hand strongly suggests that the Project will be decisive in terms of economic development of the country.

Although it will take several years to complete the Project, the priority goal of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan is to have two of the six turbines start producing energy by 2018. This is a solution called early generation which we hope will be successfully realized by the Rogun HPP Directorate. It consists mainly in putting into operation part of the project while construction continues. This early generation becomes the first step in a long process that, once completed, will bring to life one of the biggest hydroelectric plants in Central Asia with an installed capacity of 3,600 megawatts, equal to four medium nuclear power plants. The economic benefits will be enormous because Rogun will double the energy potential of Tajikistan.

What lies ahead is still a long and complex road but with this step today we all feel that thanks to the commitment of distinguished President Emomali Rahmon, who personally diverted the river after it stayed in its bed for a million years, the dream of the tallest dam in the world is becoming a reality here in Tajikistan.

Rahmati kalon!