Official Announces New Government Program to Transform Russia Into Global IT Leader
Russian Minister of Information Technologies and Communications, Leonid Reiman, announced a comprehensive new government program to make Russia a leading player in the global IT market and the next global center for outsourcing.
Apr 12, 2005
LONDON, April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Russian Minister of Information Technologies and Communications, Leonid Reiman, announced a comprehensive new government program to make Russia a leading player in the global IT market and the next global center for outsourcing.
The program is an integral part of the government's strategy to shift Russia away from dependency on fuel exports toward a knowledge- and service- based economy.
Speaking at the 8th Annual Russian Economic Forum in London, the Minister outlined for the first time to foreign audiences the new government push to turn Russia into a global leader in outsourcing and software exports. The initiative will systematically leverage the Russian workforce's historic scientific and technical talent.
"Information technology is a new, inexhaustible natural resource for Russia," said Minister Reiman. "It will help Russia minimize its dependence on commodities exports and tap into its enormous technological, industrial, and human potential."
The program, backed by President Putin, will include the creation of free economic zones and a national network of technoparks as hothouses for spurring IT development, as well as overhauling the industry's legal and tax environment to boost further growth.
Technoparks "will serve as 'brain trusts' for the economy," said Minister Reiman. "They will stimulate innovation, increase productivity, and raise the international competitiveness of Russia's economy."
The Minister is also spearheading a revolutionary effort to turn Russia into a full-fledged information society. The e-Russia initiative is aimed to provide equal access to information to all Russian citizens, enhance government transparency, eliminate the digital divide, and create a vibrant civil society in Russia.
Minister Reiman holds a Ph.D. in engineering and a more advanced Doctor of Science degree from St. Petersburg University. As Minister, Mr. Reiman has overseen the development of one of the world's fastest growing information technology industries. The industry has been growing at 20-25% a year, outpacing every other sector of the Russian economy. Minister Reiman is a recipient of the prestigious "Minister of the Year" award for his outstanding contribution to Russia's economic and social development.
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Source: Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications of Russia
The program is an integral part of the government's strategy to shift Russia away from dependency on fuel exports toward a knowledge- and service- based economy.
Speaking at the 8th Annual Russian Economic Forum in London, the Minister outlined for the first time to foreign audiences the new government push to turn Russia into a global leader in outsourcing and software exports. The initiative will systematically leverage the Russian workforce's historic scientific and technical talent.
"Information technology is a new, inexhaustible natural resource for Russia," said Minister Reiman. "It will help Russia minimize its dependence on commodities exports and tap into its enormous technological, industrial, and human potential."
The program, backed by President Putin, will include the creation of free economic zones and a national network of technoparks as hothouses for spurring IT development, as well as overhauling the industry's legal and tax environment to boost further growth.
Technoparks "will serve as 'brain trusts' for the economy," said Minister Reiman. "They will stimulate innovation, increase productivity, and raise the international competitiveness of Russia's economy."
The Minister is also spearheading a revolutionary effort to turn Russia into a full-fledged information society. The e-Russia initiative is aimed to provide equal access to information to all Russian citizens, enhance government transparency, eliminate the digital divide, and create a vibrant civil society in Russia.
Minister Reiman holds a Ph.D. in engineering and a more advanced Doctor of Science degree from St. Petersburg University. As Minister, Mr. Reiman has overseen the development of one of the world's fastest growing information technology industries. The industry has been growing at 20-25% a year, outpacing every other sector of the Russian economy. Minister Reiman is a recipient of the prestigious "Minister of the Year" award for his outstanding contribution to Russia's economic and social development.
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Source: Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications of Russia