Rosnano head Anatoly Chubais: If real innovative economy emerges in Russia, it will happen in regions rather than in Moscow or St. Petersburg

November 2, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the Third Nanotechnology International Forum RUSNANOTECH 2010 taking place in Moscow.

The three-day program of the forum (November 1-3) includes a complex of business and scientific and technological sections, workshops, company presentations, poster session and exhibition.

Tatarstan’s exposition covers 102 square metres and is divided into 5 thematic sections representing a concept of a nanotechnology centre in Kazan at Technopark Idea, a Tatneftekhiminvest-holding’s project in the sphere of nano- and biotechnologies as well as educational projects under the aegis of the Tatarstan Academy of Science and the Complex program of development of the nanoindustry in Tatarstan through 2015.

Opening the session today, Rosnano Director General Anatoly Chubais said: “I have a strong confidence that if real innovative economy emerges in Russia, it will happen in regions or nowhere rather than in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Involvement of the first party in the process of development of innovative economy is of special importance. I do not believe in any serious regional innovative breakthrough in any region of this country if the first party in a region does not take it personally.”

Giving the word to Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, the moderator of the session, member of the board of OAO Bank VTB Olga Dragunkina said: “The Republic of Tatarstan is the region that over recent 10 years has been excelling all the other regions.” She suggested that Rustam Minnikhanov should share the secret of the republic’s success of how a successful innovative structure can be built.

“Today, we have a clear understanding that the innovative capacity of our economic development is our competitive capacity,” Rustam Minnikhanov said. He went on to say that the major task of our republic is to double the innovative output by 2015. For quicker introduction of innovative developments Tatarstan has created special financial institutions such as the Tatarstan Investment and Venture Fund, the stabilisation and insurance funds, the Fund for the development of venture investment in small research companies and other institutions with a total capital of more than 12 bln roubles.