Putin instructed to achieve technological independence of Russia from foreign software

President Vladimir Putin gave instructions following the meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects. He ordered, in particular, to take measures to ensure the technological independence of Russia from the foreign software used. The president also instructed to work out the conditions for using such software, “in respect of which it is impossible to fulfill obligations in good faith.”

Other assignments include:

• define the concept of a “technological company” (taking into account the mandatory use of innovative technologies in their activities), the features and conditions for the activities of such companies for them to receive state support (deadline – November 1);
• take additional measures to develop and support technology companies in bringing their products to the market, scaling up production and sales of their products, including identifying a responsible institution for innovative development (by December 15);
• develop and approve the concept of technological development until 2030, which includes, among other things, the volume and sources of financing;
• consider the introduction of tax incentives for companies with state participation engaged in the development of “high-tech areas” (submit a report before November 1);
• submit proposals for launching a program to improve communication networks and the quality of services to provide access to the Internet, including at a speed of at least 10 Gbit / s in cities with a population of more than 100 thousand people (by October 1);
• make amendments to the law “On Communications”, including the introduction until 2024 of a moratorium on increasing fees for the use of state and municipal property by telecom operators for the placement of telecommunications equipment, as well as free accommodation in apartment buildings of telecommunications equipment of telecom operators necessary to provide high-speed access to Internet (by December 15);
• Discuss extending government support measures to high-growth technology companies (by December 15).

Government at the end of 2020 expectedthat the share of domestic software in the cost of purchases should be at least 70% for government agencies and at least 50% for state corporations and companies with state participation. But due to the departure of Western players and the imposition of sanctions in the spring of 2022, the demand for Russian software increased by 300% both in government agencies and in business. Mintsifry expectsthat by 2024 the public sector will increase spending on Russian software by 3.4 times, to more than 650 billion rubles.

As Kommersant found out, on August 24, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Digital Transformation at which representatives of IT associations and officials discussed the principle of operation of industrial competence centers (which unite representatives of various industries that need to replace foreign software) and development competence centers (they include software developers) , which, according to the plan of the authorities, should stimulate the development of the Russian IT market. The government will allocate 37.1 billion rubles. until 2024 to co-finance the creation and implementation of new domestic solutions.

Details – in the material “Kommersant” “Demand is selected for software”.