NOVO-OGAREVO, July 5. /TASS/. Cultivating the country’s digital economy is an issue of national security and is a major element to Russian companies’ competitiveness, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at the meeting of the Council on Strategic Development and Priority Projects.

"The digital economy is not an individual sector. It is essentially a way of life, a new basis for the development of the public administration system, the economy, business, the social sphere and society as a whole," the Russian leader stressed. "Developing the digital economy is an issue of Russia’s national security, independence and the competitiveness of domestic companies," Putin said.

Moscow joined the ranks of global leaders in using digital technologies in the urban environment and it has outpaced Toronto and Sydney, according to Putin.

"Our capital, Moscow, is among global leaders in using digital technologies in the modern urban infrastructure, outpacing such metropolises as Toronto, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Barcelona, and Sydney," Putin emphasized.

Moscow joined ranks of global leaders in use of digital technologies in the urban environment and outpaced Toronto and Sydney, according to Putin.

"Our capital Moscow is among global leaders in using digital technologies in the modern urban infrastructure, outpacing such metropolitan cities as Toronto, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Barcelona, and Sydney," the president said.