“There are countries that do not want to be completely dependent on technology monopolists”

The president of Aquarius told Kommersant about the prospects and problems of exporting Russian IT products. Vladimir Stepanov.

— How do you assess the current situation with the export of Russian software and hardware systems (SHC)? In which regions might they be in demand and why?

— Russian solutions have the potential to be exported to the BRICS and EAEU countries, since these regions are interested in building their own digital space through a reasonable balancing of technologies from various political and technological circuits.

The fact is that there are countries in the global market that do not want to be completely dependent on technology monopolists. They choose matrix strategies to work with technology companies from a number of regions. We see from such countries a request for PACs for the digital transformation of e-government, ensuring the reliability of the functioning of critical information infrastructure in the financial sector and manufacturing industry, as well as the development of electronic commerce. A number of these regions are also well economically integrated with the Russian Federation, which simplifies many aspects of cooperation.

— Last year, Aquarius began exporting its PAKs to Myanmar. What tasks do you plan to supply electronics for and what other export solutions do you see as promising?

“Our information security solutions are of great interest to customers in Myanmar, which allow us to take into account the local regulatory framework, configure different levels of data access and protect government information systems from potential threats.

The second direction is updating the existing concept of telecommunications solutions and deploying a more powerful IT infrastructure for various data centers.

— In 2023, officials talked a lot about the launch of export support mechanisms – for example, the Institute of Digital Attachees. Do these mechanisms actually work and how can they be improved?

— Like any new initiative, understandable and useful at the level of an idea, in reality it may not be so highly appreciated. Our company has not yet had experience working with foreign markets through digital attaches; this institution is just emerging.

Often, when entering a new market, you have to move through a long chain of indirect contacts to achieve your goal. These costs are both time and financial. If a one-stop service is created that will connect supply and demand in the field of information technology at the international level, it will certainly be effective.

— How do export partners now look at the sanctions imposed on Russian enterprises? Do they interfere with IT export?

— Sanctions are affecting business, although not to the extent expected by those who introduced them. First of all, these are difficulties with export payments and sanctions risks for foreign counterparties. But with a detailed study of the topic, you can find legal solutions to mitigate such risks.

Interviewed by Nikita Korolev