Government support for Russian software developers: asking for 40 billion rubles. in year

Nikolay Nikiforov

The Russian authorities have not yet introduced a direct ban on the import of foreign software, but are already thinking about the support of domestic manufacturers.

The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications, together with the Interim Commission of the Council of the Federation on the Development of the Information Society with the participation of Russian software producers, has prepared proposals for granting preferences to domestic producers when making purchases by government agencies and state-owned companies. This was announced by the head of department Nikolai Nikiforov, speaking at a meeting of the Federation Council.

Nikolai Nikiforov said that the Ministry of Communications and Mass Communications opposes the introduction of direct bans on the purchase of foreign software. “But preferences for Russian developers should be. The state customer must justify the impossibility of purchasing the existing Russian counterpart when it exists. ”
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He also said that the ways of implementing preferences are now being discussed and they will be adopted soon.

“At the same time, we should understand that the Russian information technology market is only about two percent of the world market. The volume of demand from the Russian state-owned companies is not enough to build a world-class IT industry. Therefore, we need direct financial support from the state, ”the minister said.

According to him, special emphasis should be placed on the development of database management systems, which are used in all Russian banks, government agencies, and insurance companies.

According to Nikiforov, for a breakthrough in this direction, about 40 billion rubles will be required annually, including about 10 billion from the federal budget.

“We have entered a period of global challenges that require decisive action from us. It is necessary to make a breakthrough right now. Therefore, our Ministry and the Government as a whole will promptly make legislative initiatives to support the software industry, the production of telecommunications equipment, ”said Nikolai Nikiforov.

Responding to questions from senators, the minister also said that 97% of the population of Russia is planned to provide access to broadband high-speed Internet. The remaining three percent are those who live in settlements with fewer than 250 inhabitants.