Issues related to development of innovative territorial clusters discussed in Kazan

On March 25, a meeting on issues related to the development of innovative industrial clusters was held at Tatarstan Cabinet of Ministers.

“Tatarstan has gained a great experience in setting up territorial clusters, where industrial enterprises and companies engaged in research and development, creating prototypes and carrying out tests, are located. This experience gives practical results,” Arkady Dvorkovich said, mentioning Khimgrad as an example. The proceeds of its companies made 14 billion roubles over the last six years. “This is a very good performance and the potential is great,” Deputy of Chairman of the Russian Federation Government noted.

According to Arkady Dvorkovich this experience should be used. "We need to find out a way not only to spread these practices, but to give a new impetus to the development of such clusters and create more powerful ones,” Dvorkovich pointed out.

“It is the right moment to find solutions allowing us to develop quickly and steadily. There are opportunities to concentrate budgetary funds on the most important areas to yield results,” Arkady Dvorkovich said.

Tatarstan President, who chairs the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia, noted that there are two areas that are important to the country and regions: engineering centers and education. Rustam Minnikhanov is sure that the science and education centers must focus on the development of economically viable projects. Tatarstan President stressed that each region in the Association has the potential for growth, noting the largest petrochemical cluster in Tatarstan. “We will be able to increase its output by two-three times in the near seven-eight years,” he noted. However, the cluster development is connected with the need to develop transport and energy infrastructure, social facilities, etc, he continued.

“We understand that the Far East and Siberia are the priority regions. But they will yield results in 10-15 years, while we will be able to do it faster,” head of the republic said. According to Tatarstan President, Kama industrial cluster can increase ist industrial output by three times up to 2 trillion roubles by 2020.

Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Oleg Fomichev, in his turn, reminded that a list of 25 clusters has been made, with 14 of them being innovative ones and other 11 having prospects of becmoing such. During his speech Oleg Fomichev focused on problems, the regions face while developing innovative territorial clusters. Representatives of the regions, being members of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia, also expressed their views on these issues.

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Government Arkady Dvorkovich, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Secretary of State – Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development Oleg Fomichev, Russian Deputy Minister of Finance Andey Ivanov, Russian First Deputy of Industry and Trade Gleb Nikitin, Russian Minister of Education and Science Alexander Povalko, as well as representatives of the regions, being members of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia took part in the meeting.