LONDON, February 15 (Itar-Tass) —— The Skolkovo innovation centre is a long-term project and a part of the Russian government’s economic modernization program, Skolkovo Foundation President Viktor Vekselberg said.
Skolkovo is a part of a big economic modernization program announced by the Russian government, Vekselberg said at a presentation of the centre for British and international research and investment circles on Wednesday, February 15.
He recalled that Skolkovo is a young organization created no more than two years ago.
Many wonder if this is not a short-term initiative that may be given up after the upcoming presidential election in Russia. Vekselberg confirmed that Russia would go along the path of reforms.
“It’s not a campaign or some short-lived decision. Russia does want to restructure its whole economy and life,” Vekselberg said.
In his opinion, Skolkovo is designed not only to generate money for start-ups, but also to grow a new generation of Russians.
He stressed that a university is being established at Skolkovo in order to train new specialists.
“We intend to change many laws and regulatory acts and we want to allow Russian scientists to work in Russia rather than leave the country,” he said.
“We can succeed with you,” Vekselberg said, addressing the British audience. “Our doors are open to everyone who wants to do business in Russia and conduct research with the Russian scientists. Our role as a foundation is to provide the best possible business environment,” he said.
All five of Skolkovo’s clusters and its university were presented during the road-show in London.
The Skolkovo Foundation conducts a road-show in Britain on February 13-15, 2012 in order to present the potential of the Russian innovation centre to the British and international scientific and investment communities.
The Foundation’s visit is organized in accordance with the Russia-British highest-level agreements, reached in September 2011.
The main presentation for scientific and business audiences with participation of the Foundation’s President Viktor Vekselberg was held in London at the Institute of Directors on February 15. Members of the delegation, including representatives of all five research clusters (biomedical, space, energy, nuclear and information technologies) will also visit universities and innovation companies in London, Oxford and Cambridge, the Russian Embassy in Britain said.
The Skolkovo Foundation was created in 2010 in order to give additional impetus to economic modernization in Russia. President Dmitry Medvedev is the head of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees