processors in the region have been boosting production since the 1998 ruble devaluation, as Russian consumers switched to domestic food sources and away from expensive imports. Products produced by food processors in the region include meats, spirits, non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, food concentrates, confectionery, and dairy. Chemical The chemical manufacturing industry, which makes up approximately 22% of the republic's industrial output, is dominated by Khimprom (JSC), located in Novocheboksarsk. The company, which began operating in 1964, is one of the largest producers in Europe of organic dyes, chlorine, phosphorus, silicon organic products, agrochemicals, and consumer chemical products. The company has significantly increased production since the 1998 devaluation. Himprom is the largest exporter in Chuvashia, has ties to countries all over Europe and the Americas, and has been actively involved in the creation of joint ventures. Most notably, the company has established a joint venture with Dupont in the area of herbicides and domestic chemicals. In addition to its facilities in Novocheboksarsk, Himprom has representation in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The firm Chapayevsky Zavod (JSC), is a well-known Russian producer of fireworks and cloud seeding rockets. The company exports their products to many countries throughout the world. Banking One of the largest banks in the region is Chuvashsberbank, the Chuvash branch of the Savings Bank of Russia, Sberbank. Chuvashsberbank benefits from the Sberbank's national network of branches. Another major bank is Chuvashkreditprombank, which is an independent regional bank with branches throughout the republic. It works closely with the Chuvash Republic Government. Both banks have correspondent relationships with major foreign banks and offer a wide variety of banking services. Foreign trade Total foreign trade turnover for the year 2000 was $114.4 million. This is an increase of 28% compared with 1999. Exports accounted for $60.4 million (an increase of 3%), with the leading products being organic and inorganic chemicals, electronic equipment, and electrical measuring instruments. The region imported $54 million in goods in 2000, an increase of 73%. Its main imports are raw materials, textiles, and consumer goods. Communications and energy Chuvashia is rapidly upgrading it communications facilities to meet world standards and has a very well developed energy generation and distribution network Communications As in most regions of Russia, phone lines remain the most common form of telecommunication. The republic's telephone company, ChuvashSvazinform (JSC), provides all major telecom services to its customers, and it is a simple matter to make direct