Russian Innovations Go to International Level

    MOSCOW, RUSSIA, July 12, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- AIRR (www.i-regions.org) and MasterCard have signed an agreement on joint work on introduction of modern systems for electronic education, management and MasterCard electronic technologies and services in the fields of education, medicine, transport and culture.

The partners also plan to run educational programs aimed at raising the level of financial literacy. "In Russia, as elsewhere in the world, MasterCard actively introduces reliable and advanced technological solutions. The extension of new payment technologies changes the daily lives of people around the world, making it better and more comfortable, but also opens up new opportunities for entrepreneurs, financial institutions and the state. Together with the metropolitan areas and entire regions we are implementing large-scale infrastructure projects and create the basis for "smart" cities," commented Alex Malinowski, president of the Russian Association of MasterCard.

In addition, a cooperation agreement was signed with EY company.

The partners agreed to promote the concept of smart cities. Joint projects in the field of smart city, integrated into conventional processes and standard tasks of the city, will be tested in 14 innovative regions of Russia, which are members of the AIRR.

Experts of EY and the AIRR will be engaged in the development the potential of Russian technology parks and will facilitate the commercialization of Russian scientific developments. "Regardless of the country the process of urbanization stimulates the demand for resources and infrastructure - providing food and water, energy and telecommunications, roads. In the world there are already many projects under the concept of "smart city." According to the world statistics, every week for the next two decades more than one million people - roughly the population of Stockholm - will move to a permanent place of residence in the city. Obviously, most of this migration process will occur in Asia. This means that right now we must begin to implement projects that facilitate the creation of a favorable environment for residents of megacities,"says Alexander Ivlev, Managing Partner of EY in Russia.

"Practical implementation of high-tech systems in the Russian regions is an important step on the way to transition from an outdated model of development to the innovative one," considers the Director of the AIRR Ivan Fedotov. "It is logical that the first projects in this area will be implemented at the site of the most advanced innovative regions - members of AIRR. I am sure that following us the remaining constituent entities of the Russian Federation will join the project."

Note that the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is also interested in partnership with the AIRR. In early June AIRR delegation paid a visit to Paris. In the framework of the OECD forum representatives of the Association presented the rating of "Innovative business in regions of Russia". The project has aroused great interest among Western colleagues. As a result AIRR and OECD have agreed to use these rankings to prepare analytical products and reports of the OECD.

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