Information technology and society: Key issues of the development of the Russian IT industry discussed at the Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum

The Minister of Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation Nikolai Nikiforov participated in the section "Technological cooperation between Russia and the countries of Asia in order to develop the digital economy" as part of the 12th Krasnoyarsk Economic Forum. Participants discussed key issues of the Russian IT industry and areas of cooperation in global technology markets.

In his opening remarks, Nikolai Nikiforov said that on the market today there is a situation where the whole world uses both system and application software (SW), which is produced in one country only by a few companies.

"…We must strive for a more balanced situation where the share of a country on the market will not exceed 50%. I think that the Russian forces have to take the lead in de-monopolization of the market", - said the minister.

Nikolai Nikiforov told about the export potential of Russian IT products and services in the markets of Asia, where there is a significant demand for independent, alternative software products, as well as opportunities for technological cooperation and exchange with Asian countries.

"In close cooperation with the responsible authorities in the field of communication and information technologies in these countries Russia should get started on creating software solutions not only for themselves but also for those large-sized markets", - said Nikolai Nikiforov.

He also recalled that Russia is the country chairman of MRICS in 2015-2016. In July 2015 the meeting of leaders of BRICS will be held in Ufa. "I am confident that the issues of technological cooperation and collaboration in the field of IT will be included in the agenda of the summit. I think it is important that both the event and other preparatory activities to be used to sequentially bring our position to our colleagues", - said Nikolai Nikiforov.

Participants of the section discussed the impact of information technology on the development of industry in Russia and the world, mechanisms to enhance communication processes with modern IT technologies, products and services between the BRICS countries, interaction of Russian and Asian IT companies, integration of small companies in the Russian technological chains of global corporations, as well as the implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies by the largest Russian state companies.