Rustam Minnikhanov: Support of Russian technologies and science is important for national security in current foreign political situation

On June 23, at a session of the Economic Council under Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Tatarstan dedicated to scientific-technical and innovative policy of the republic, Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said that the support of Russian technologies and science is important for national security in current foreign political situation.

“It is important to provide technological advance that will enable producing modern competitive products and services. However, these resources are not always used efficiently. We can see that enterprises have low innovative activity and are passive in using results of intellectual activity. Almost one third of all received patents belong to OAO “Tatneft” Oil Company. Only half of received patents are really commercialized, which means that each specific invention is not prepared for industrial application and does not comply with manufacturing requirements. In the long run, it leads to inefficient use of money, sometimes budget funds,” Rustam Minnikhanov stated.

“Research and technological development requires significant investments. In these terms enterprises should use all support tools on both federal and regional level. This includes federal grant programmes, support programmes for institutes of development, such as Skolkovo and Rosnano. Tatarstan Ministry of economy should intensify explanatory work at organisations. It is important to coordinate technological and innovative work in the republic,” Minnikhanov said.

According to Rustam Minnikhanov, special attention should be paid to development of new programmes of additional education for children. He reminded that during St.Petersburg economic forum Tatarstan signed an agreement with the Association of strategic investments and Russian Ministry of Education and Science and became a pilot region to implement the project “New model of additional education of children”.

“Our task is to create a comprehensive support and maintenance system for innovative projects at all stages, from the idea to commercial results. I am sure that the increase of efficiency of research and technological development will help solving issues of import substitution and formation of innovative economy,” Minnikhanov summarized.