Rustam Minnikhanov: "Tatarstan should become the center of IT development"

The results of work of Tatarstan communication sector for 2008 and the tasks for 2009 have been discussed at the expanded session of RT Ministry of Communications collegium with participation of RT Prime Minister Rustam Minnikhanov.

The main parameters of communication sector activity in 2008 were exposed in the report by RT Minister of information and communication Farit Fazylzyanov. As he said, even in uneasy economic conditions the communication branch still retains investment appeal and provides financial stability of the republican info-communication sphere. For the year 2008, all enterprises of the branch have reached the gross revenue at a rate of 25,9 billion roubles with growth by 53,3 percent in contrast to 2007. More than 20 thousand organizations In territory of the republic provide services in the field of information and communication. A total number of workers in the branch more than 20 ths. people The average salary in branch for 2008 made 14264 rbl.

In 2009, the level of incomes is planned in amount of 24 billion rbl., a salary - at a level of 16 thousand. Investments on the basis of state-private partnership will make 4,3 billion rbl.

Minister noted that Tatarstan has become the first and so far the unique region of Russia where it provided 100% digitalization of all telecommunication systems.

"In conditions of crisis it is necessary to concentrate only on the main projects which will bring feedback ", - the minister emphasized. As he said, such projects are creation in Tatarstan of the IT -park and launching IT cluster in operation which should become the system integrator and enter an international market of the IT -services. Besides in all territory of republic the opportunity of receiving digital TV should be provided.

RT Prime Minister designated the main task for the RT Ministry of information and communication and the RT Center of information technologies - expansion of projects “Electronic Government of RT" and "Electronic Tatarstan ". These systems should work in coordination both at republican and municipal levels. The special attention should be turned on reliability of all infrastructure work.

"Tatarstan should become the center of IT -development ", - Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized. As he said, the IT cluster would not appear by itself. It is necessary to create a necessary infrastructure and environment to coordinate the work of educational institutions and the companies working in sphere of high technologies.