Rustam Minnikhanov: Information technology actively penetrates into all spheres of life

On February 3, at Popov Technopark in Innopolis, an extended meeting of the Ministry of Information and Communication of the republic on results of work in 2016 was held.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Minister of Communications and Mass Media of Russia Nikolai Nikiforov, Minister of Information and Communication of the republic Roman Shaykhutdinov, Board Chairman of the Pension Fund of the Russian Federation Anton Drozdov, Director General of SberTech Alisa Melnikova, senior officials of regional governmental authorities took part in the meeting.

Before the meeting Minnikhanov had been demonstrated an option of the Ford Transit vehicle for the needs of the Russian Post. According to developers, the main advantages of this version is the increased capacity, availability of modern navigation systems, and improved off-road performance to deliver packages to remote settlements.

Viewing a special exhibition organized in one of the halls of the technopark Minnikhanov got acquainted with the work of new information terminals and the latest developments in the IT sphere.

After that, in the presence of Minnikhanov a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Information and Communication of the republic and Uber company was signed. The document envisages a study of possibilities of application of information technology to improve the mobility of citizens.

Head of the Ministry of Information and Communication of the republic Roman Shaikhutdinov made a keynote report on results of work of the industry.

Minnikhanov noted that today information technology actively penetrates into all areas of life: health-care, economics, construction, housing and utilities, culture, activities of state and municipal authorities.

According to Minnikhanov, developing own high-tech infrastructure and training young specialists is one of the main tasks. "Our developers are as good as their foreign colleagues, both in the level of their competence and the quality of the products offered,” he said.

Tatarstan President also noted the need to increase the level of cyber-security, develop video surveillance system in cities and municipalities of the republic, enlarge high-speed Internet coverage.

Minnikhanov emphasized that the development of the city of Innopolis, which is a zone of long-term growth of the IT sphere of the country, remains the main focus.

Speaking at the meeting, Drozdov said that Tatarstan is a region capable of solving the most challenging breakthrough tasks. "I appreciate the level of our cooperation. An information center, which we are planning to open in Innopolis, will employ about 200 our specialists. Here they will be able to improve their skills, extend their knowledge, interact with other colleagues. We hope that they be our advanced team," he summed up.

At the end of the meeting, Minnikhanov handed out state awards of the Republic of Tatarstan to the most distinguished employees of the industry.