Deputy Minister of Communications Resigns
Mark Shmulevich, who oversaw the development of the Russian IT industry, has decided to leave the Ministry of Communications, reports CNews citing a source at the ministry
Jun 23, 2014
According to the source, Shmulevich’s reasons are personal but the government has not yet accepted his resignation.
Shmulevich became Deputy Minister of Communication in June 2012 at the age of 29. His appointment came shortly after Nikolai Nikiforov took over the ministry.
Shmulevich was tasked with the development of the IT industry and during his tenure he adopted a strategy for 2014-2020. He also revived the government’s Rosinfocominvest venture fund, which was created in 2007 but only began investing in IT start-ups after Shmulevich’s appointment.
Shmulevich also focused on modifying the legislation that was in place when he began working at the ministry. In particular, he was instrumental in preparing a bill to reduce the minimum number of employees needed by companies to qualify for tax breaks which was signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of 2013. He is also responsible for streamlining the process of hiring of foreign IT professionals, which is currently awaiting final approval.
Finally, under Shmulevich funds for the construction of industrial parks in 2013-2014 were reallocated. One of the recipients of these funds was the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), of which Shmulevich is a graduate. 300 million rubles ($8.66 million) has been allocated by the government for the creation of the MIPT Technopark.
In March 2014, Runa Capital, Parallels, Acronis, Abbyy, 1C and MIPT founded the non-profit Phystech IT Cluster, which will focus on IT education and research projects.
Shmulevich is the second deputy to resign under Nikiforov. In August 2013 Denis Sverdlov, who oversaw telecommunications, left his post with the ministry.
Shmulevich became Deputy Minister of Communication in June 2012 at the age of 29. His appointment came shortly after Nikolai Nikiforov took over the ministry.
Shmulevich was tasked with the development of the IT industry and during his tenure he adopted a strategy for 2014-2020. He also revived the government’s Rosinfocominvest venture fund, which was created in 2007 but only began investing in IT start-ups after Shmulevich’s appointment.
Shmulevich also focused on modifying the legislation that was in place when he began working at the ministry. In particular, he was instrumental in preparing a bill to reduce the minimum number of employees needed by companies to qualify for tax breaks which was signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the end of 2013. He is also responsible for streamlining the process of hiring of foreign IT professionals, which is currently awaiting final approval.
Finally, under Shmulevich funds for the construction of industrial parks in 2013-2014 were reallocated. One of the recipients of these funds was the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), of which Shmulevich is a graduate. 300 million rubles ($8.66 million) has been allocated by the government for the creation of the MIPT Technopark.
In March 2014, Runa Capital, Parallels, Acronis, Abbyy, 1C and MIPT founded the non-profit Phystech IT Cluster, which will focus on IT education and research projects.
Shmulevich is the second deputy to resign under Nikiforov. In August 2013 Denis Sverdlov, who oversaw telecommunications, left his post with the ministry.