Point of View

“We have a powerful instrument of state purchases, but it is being used inefficiently and does not encourage suppliers to promote innovative business. That is very regrettable. I believe that the innovative element must be made an obligatory part of the acquisitions programmes. Potential suppliers and business must see that the government intends to buy only modern products, and that access to state orders will be granted above all to those who promote innovation.”

“In 2010, we allocated some 1.1 trillion roubles, or over 10% of the federal budget, for fundamental and applied research, higher education, high-tech medical services, and federal programmes in aviation, space and nuclear energy (Rosatom). As you know, these are very substantial allocations.”

“We must continue creating institutional and other conditions for successful introduction of high technologies. We must remove more administrative barriers hampering innovative businesses, and continue modernising the state-sponsored segment of science.”

“Another issue concerns the promotion of Russian innovative products and encouraging the demand for them on the domestic and external markets. New knowledge and technology must not remain unused gathering dust. We know very well that such capital becomes depreciated and obsolete very fast. To prevent this and to give the country an opportunity to benefit from new knowledge, we must create a comprehensive market of intellectual property. Also, we need to create, almost from scratch, mechanisms for the circulation of research and technical information, for making it maximally open and accessible for potential partners, investors and consumers.”

“We must create a database of R&D projects carried out under contracts with the federal executive authorities. It goes without saying that such a database must be absolutely open and accessible.”

“The government has announced its policy choice in favour of sustainable development based on innovation and modern technology. Important steps have been made to build a system of institutions and instruments for innovation and modernisation. But it should be recognised that very few projects are truly innovative. What we see ahead is monumental and demanding work involving tangible progress rather than slogans and appeals.”

“We began developing analogous systems at practically the same time [GLONASS]. To the best of my knowledge, they currently have two satellites in orbit, while we have already deployed 21 satellites, which is enough to cover the entire Russian Federation. And we should launch another six satellites in 2010. Consequently, our system will become truly global. However, in order for our system to be effective, it must be cost-effective. We must actively introduce the vehicular components - on land, air and sea vehicles and on trains - of the system.”

“I want regions and municipal entities to hear you and me, so that the leaders of these entities realise that the introduction of this system is a nationwide objective that effectively can only be accomplished with their support. Municipal vehicles, medical vehicles, police vehicles and vehicles owned by the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief will all be equipped with GLONASS receivers.”

“In the coming years we should establish a system for providing government and municipal services electronically. We are talking about information service portals and integrated communications channels, as well as departmental and regional databases. Every citizen in every region or municipality should have access to these new services and be able to avail himself or herself of its potential and advantages.”

“Each Russian citizen must have his or her personal electronic key for modern high-tech services. At present we have the Social Welfare Card for this. Many entities of the Federation already have successfully introduced these cards, including your republic, Bashkortostan. More than 150,000 such cards have been issued in the republic. <…> Make a note of this: the card must be universal and provide access to the whole range of government electronic services. It should be accepted in all the agencies, preferably throughout the entire country.”