February 15
- Training Employees to Implement National Projects Management skills and a willingness to collaborate are becoming key factors influencing the level and direction of development for Russia’s investment environment at both the regional and federal level. To successfully compete on the global stage,...
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Management skills and a willingness to collaborate are becoming key factors influencing the level and direction of development for Russia’s investment environment at both the regional and federal level. To successfully compete on the global stage, it will be essential to foster a community of managers with a shared vision of development, an understanding of the goals and tasks ahead of them, common values, a conceptual apparatus, and a methodology for implementing, exploiting, and sharing best practice in the pursuit of management excellence in both national and federal projects. To what extent does the success of national projects depend on the people directly responsible for implementing them? How can we develop better managers and harness their potential? How can we roll out results to other branches of management across the whole country?
- Education: A Tool for Attracting Investment to the Regions Education in the Russian Federation is on the way to becoming one of the most effective areas for investment, including social investment. Today, in Russia and each of her regions, innovative educational environments are being created, and existin...
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Education in the Russian Federation is on the way to becoming one of the most effective areas for investment, including social investment. Today, in Russia and each of her regions, innovative educational environments are being created, and existing environments are being modernized. Mechanisms for investing in education can be widely implemented and replicated. Social investment could become a key driver of socioeconomic development in Russia’s regions. Russia already boasts examples of projects where tools for attracting investment have been successfully tested in the development and implementation stages. Investment projects in education have helped to improve the investment climate in Russia’s regions and promote socioeconomic development in the country. How do mechanisms for social investment in education stimulate the creation of an advantageous investment climate in Russia’s regions and attract new investment in education? Which best investment practices should we prioritize for adaptation and implementation through public–private partnerships in the Russian Federation?
- Economy vs. Climate: Lessons in Adaptation Climate change will have a negative impact on almost all sectors of the economy, as well as infrastructure and business facilities. This will create considerable risks for many investment projects – and for the development prospects of key sectors...
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Climate change will have a negative impact on almost all sectors of the economy, as well as infrastructure and business facilities. This will create considerable risks for many investment projects – and for the development prospects of key sectors of the economy. Over the period 1990–2015, the number of dangerous natural phenomena in Russia almost doubled; the number of large-scale natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and forest fires also increased. Energy infrastructure and settlements located in perennial permafrost zones face potential danger. Given current trends in regional climate change, the damage caused could amount to 1–2% of the country’s GDP on average. Which factors must be taken into account in evaluating the damage in particular sectors? What measures is the Government of the Russian Federation considering to reduce economic losses related to the negative consequences of climate change and to reinforce infrastructure? How are businesses reacting to the threats they are facing?
- Social Mobility as a Tool for Economic Growth and Global Competitiveness In the age of the digital transformation of the economy, the need for professional skills is coming to the fore. A key criterion for success in this new world is the ability to bring creative ideas to fruition in multidisciplinary contexts, along ...
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In the age of the digital transformation of the economy, the need for professional skills is coming to the fore. A key criterion for success in this new world is the ability to bring creative ideas to fruition in multidisciplinary contexts, along with a deep understanding of fundamental technological, managerial, and business processes, and the ability to navigate a world characterized by huge volumes of data. As demand grows and competition becomes fiercer, objectivity in evaluating potential also increases, and fundamentally new opportunities for growth open up for those who are willing to keep improving their skills, investing in their own development, and serving society. What are the features of programmes which have already been implemented in Russia, and how might they be replicated? How quickly might we see positive changes in society as a result of these projects? How can we maximize social mobility? How should we be harnessing our most important resource, the country’s human capital? Will it be possible to successfully halt ‘brain drain’?
- How Can We Protect Privacy in the Internet of Things Era? In partnership with SKB Kontur Recent years have seen a breakthrough both in the quality of big data processing and in the sources collecting big data. Telecoms operators can determine where you live in real life, who your friends are, when you take your dog for a walk, and how...
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Recent years have seen a breakthrough both in the quality of big data processing and in the sources collecting big data. Telecoms operators can determine where you live in real life, who your friends are, when you take your dog for a walk, and how much money is coming into your accounts. Smart checkouts now know what you are buying, while banks know almost everything there is to know about how you earn and spend money. All these aspects of business are beginning to merge, so that, sooner or later, a single unified structure will be able to create a true digital double of each person, digitizing their life and habits. And more likely than not, this structure will not be an omnipotent arm of the state, but rather a powerful commercial operator. How can we protect our privacy? What restrictions should there be on data processing? What responsibilities should companies who process data bear?
- Chemistry for Life The chemical industry is a core branch of Russian manufacturing and makes a significant contribution to the national economy in terms of jobs, products supplied, and exports. The output of the chemical industry is used in nearly every area of the ...
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The chemical industry is a core branch of Russian manufacturing and makes a significant contribution to the national economy in terms of jobs, products supplied, and exports. The output of the chemical industry is used in nearly every area of the Russian economy and plays an important role in shaping innovation at every stage of its development. The growth of high-value-added production in the petrochemical and chemical sectors is providing a powerful boost to the development of related branches of Russian industry, such as light manufacturing, medicines and pharmaceuticals, aviation, shipbuilding and engineering, perfume and cosmetics, and many more. The main challenge for the chemical industry over the next six years is to increase the competitiveness of Russian output on both domestic and external markets. What strategy will achieve strong performance in the development of the Russian chemical industry? What support measures does the petrochemicals sector require? What raw material resource base can the Russian petrochemicals industry draw on and to what extent do domestic hydrocarbons undergo further processing? What are the current trends in the digitalization of the Russian chemical industry? Chemicals and the environment – myth or reality?
- Counterfeits vs Everyone: The Damage to Legal Business and the National Economy The illicit trade in manufactured goods is a central problem facing the Russian economy. Its damaging consequences affect everyone: the state, business, and ordinary consumers, hence the need for an integrated approach and a package of measures ai...
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The illicit trade in manufactured goods is a central problem facing the Russian economy. Its damaging consequences affect everyone: the state, business, and ordinary consumers, hence the need for an integrated approach and a package of measures aimed at reducing the volume of goods that are illegally traded. A special coordinating body created to tackle offences of this kind, the State Commission for Countering Illicit Trade in Manufactured Products, has been in existence since 2015, developing and adopting specific measures in conjunction with the business community. Non-state institutions such as Roskachestvo (Russian Quality System) and industry bodies also play a significant role in preventing illicit trade.
Marking is an effective and increasingly widely-used tool for counteracting illicit trade, and one which offers businesses new types of solutions for creating a digital economy of trust between the state, businesses, and consumers.
How does the black market threaten the economic security of the state? How successful has the work of the State Commission for Countering the Illicit Trafficking of Industrial Products been? What role should non-governmental institutions play in the creation of an orderly market? How does the new unified digital marking and traceability system market protection tool work, and what results have the voluntary experiments returned? What other labelling solutions can business look to?
- Green Financing: Developing the Responsible Investment Market Green finance is about using financial services and instruments focused on supporting economic activity which helps to improve the environment, mitigate the consequences of climate change, and encourage smarter use of natural resources. The princi...
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Green finance is about using financial services and instruments focused on supporting economic activity which helps to improve the environment, mitigate the consequences of climate change, and encourage smarter use of natural resources. The principal goals of a green finance system are, firstly, to create an institutional environment in which the state and private funders come together to finance green sectors, and, secondly, to maintain effective control over investment in projects where the risk of negative impact on the environment is high. Today, forging and developing a green finance system is considered to be an integral part of the national development strategy, particularly when it comes to implementing national projects and introducing the best available technologies within the manufacturing industry. At the same time, the sustainable development goals and domestic financing are an active part of the international agenda, including for the G20. How can we expand the availability of financing for investment in green projects? How can we increase the investment attractiveness of such projects? How can we improve the way the capital market works to distribute resources and serve the real economy?
- The Role of Financial Markets in the Investment Process Over the last four years, reduced investment has been causing problems for Russia’s economy. Despite a number of encouraging trends, we nonetheless have to admit that the situation on the market for financial resources remains extremely difficult....
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Over the last four years, reduced investment has been causing problems for Russia’s economy. Despite a number of encouraging trends, we nonetheless have to admit that the situation on the market for financial resources remains extremely difficult. In order to increase the pace of growth in the Russian economy and renew key funds, considerable sums must be directed towards investment in the real sector, and one source of the necessary resources should be the financial market. In established Russian practice, the key mechanism for attracting funding to develop the real sector of the economy is a classic one: bank lending. Investment lending is not as well-developed in Russia, constituting less than 8% of the market, according to experts. Among the factors holding investment lending back are banks’ increasingly strict requirements for potential borrowers, the lack of long-term passive investment opportunities, a lack of clarity regarding real project payback periods, and the current regulatory demands. What are the development prospects for investment lending in Russia? What changes need to be made to the legislative basis for regulation of the financial market? What are the development prospects for key sectors of the financial market?
- Smart Regulation Tools for the Digital Economy Regulatory controls are a fundamental condition for economic development in any state. High-quality lawmaking can provide an impetus for economic growth, while weak development of the regulatory environment can constitute an insurmountable barrier...
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Regulatory controls are a fundamental condition for economic development in any state. High-quality lawmaking can provide an impetus for economic growth, while weak development of the regulatory environment can constitute an insurmountable barrier. The challenge facing us today is to create a modern system of state regulation. Rather than being a way of reacting to changes already underway in society, regulatory policy should instead be built in to these changes and capable of being finetuned as society evolves. Our task is to create an effective system for change management which allows for flexible and timely responses to contemporary challenges within a smart regulatory system. One key area of focus for improving the lawmaking system would be how to harness the potential of information technologies and tailored platform solutions: in other words, introducing the principle of ‘the state as a platform’ into state administration. How can we adapt existing regulatory policy to the principles of smart regulation? What are the possibilities and limits of digitalization in the lawmaking process? What are the principal approaches to regulatory control in the digital economy? Are there any opportunities to automate lawmaking processes and make legislation machine-readable? Are there any successful examples of this around the world? What is Russia currently doing in this area?
- Russia’s Competitive Venture Investment Market In partnership with RVC Scientific and technological progress is a primary factor in creating a competitive national economy. In turn, the development of new technologies and products is driven by, among other things, an established venture investment market, which must ...
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Scientific and technological progress is a primary factor in creating a competitive national economy. In turn, the development of new technologies and products is driven by, among other things, an established venture investment market, which must facilitate economic growth in the Russian Federation: increasing technological independence; developing promising new high-tech sectors, including the promising markets set out in the National Technology Initiative programme; and expanding exports of competitive technologies. What institutional and infrastructure support measures should be offered to venture and direct investment market participants? Which initiatives help to remove existing barriers to the creation and growth of high-tech companies in traditional and new sectors of the economy, including on high-tech markets? What kinds of tax incentives should be introduced for venture capital market participants? What are the sources of funding for the venture market?
- Is Russia Prepared for New Challenges in Cyberspace? The development of the digital economy and the ubiquitous process of digitalization hold out the possibility of breakthroughs in work involving data – but, at the same time, significantly increase the risks posed by cyberthreats. According to offi...
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The development of the digital economy and the ubiquitous process of digitalization hold out the possibility of breakthroughs in work involving data – but, at the same time, significantly increase the risks posed by cyberthreats. According to official data, over the last six years, cybercrime in Russia has increased tenfold. In January–September 2018, law enforcement agencies recorded more than 13,000 such crimes every month, almost twice as many as the previous year. There is clearly increased interest among criminals in valuable corporate and personal data, especially bank accounts, and the financial sector is at particular risk. As a result, cybersecurity is well on its way to becoming a vital priority both for businesses and at the state level. Which cybersecurity strategies are the most successful? What is the best way to optimize resources and organize joint efforts to ensure maximum security? What needs to be done to predict and prevent cyberthreats?
- Investing in Online Education Integrating modern technologies into the educational process is intended as a way of increasing the quality of higher education. Using information technologies in education helps to develop professional competencies in the skilled employees of the...
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Integrating modern technologies into the educational process is intended as a way of increasing the quality of higher education. Using information technologies in education helps to develop professional competencies in the skilled employees of the future. In particular, introducing and developing online education can increase the quality of education overall, and allow people across Russia to take their education into their own hands. How is online education evolving, both globally and in Russia? Are Russian and global models and approaches different? How is responsibility for online education shared between the state and business? How large is the market for online education in Russia? What are its prospects for growth? Is investment in this area profitable for business? Can Russian universities run successful online education businesses?
- The Art of Influence: Investment in Social Communications as a Factor in Sustainable Social Change In partnership with Russian Copper Company In the context of the global sustainable development agenda, social communications are a tool for scaling up ideas with social impact and creating a general culture of social responsibility. Brands which integrate shared human values into their bu...
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In the context of the global sustainable development agenda, social communications are a tool for scaling up ideas with social impact and creating a general culture of social responsibility. Brands which integrate shared human values into their businesses win consumers over and help to develop models of responsible behaviour. Foundations and non-profits capable of establishing an open dialogue with their audience attract more funding and get people involved in solving social problems. Why is it so important, indeed necessary, to invest in social communications and develop their creative component, whether that means funding an advertising campaign, an outreach project, or a charity event? Because it gives you the chance to have a significant impact on people’s motivation and actions. What social communications challenges are various organizations facing? Which social communications mechanisms are helping them meet these challenges effectively? How did some well-known social communications projects come to be, in both the for-profit and the non-profit sectors? What trends are defining the future development of social communications?
- The Role of Investment in Social Sector Development According to data from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development published as part of a draft national report on attracting private investment to develop infrastructure and applying public–private partnership mechanisms in the Russian Federatio...
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According to data from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development published as part of a draft national report on attracting private investment to develop infrastructure and applying public–private partnership mechanisms in the Russian Federation in order to ensure economic growth, the volume of investment in infrastructure secured annually must correspond to at least 4.7% of GDP (approximately RUB 4.5 trillion). Taking into account the fact that around 12.5% of public–private partnership projects are presently in the social sector, the potential volume of social infrastructure investment should stand at approximately RUB 500 billion annually. In order to attract businesses to this sector, it is essential to establish favourable conditions, improve the relevant legal and regulatory framework, remove hurdles and administrative barriers, and share best practices in public–private partnerships. Attracting private investment into the social sector will make it possible to improve the quality and accessibility of services and the satisfaction of the end users to whom they are provided, put in place conditions to expand the range of these services, and also facilitate the optimization of budgetary expenditure and the effective use of public assets.
