Russia sees digitalisation as new technical revolution

Significance

The government is attaching high hopes to its digitalisation strategy to stimulate economic growth, increase government efficiency and improve people's quality of life. Despite challenges, the programme starts with reasonably well-developed infrastructure and internet access, intellectual capital and several world-class IT companies.

Impacts

• A more flexible legislative approach is required to encourage innovation.
• Traditional services such as retail, hotels and taxis will be challenged by 'upstarts' based online.
• Private investment will be critical for high-risk technological start-ups to proliferate.
• Personal and business data protection will become an urgent concern.