Tomsk Region a potential site for an innovative observatory

Experts from World Bank, Higher School of Economics, Russian Academy of National Economy, and Association of Innovative Regions of Russia are evaluating the region's chances to participate in the creation of a national innovative observatory.

The goal of the project is to collect and analyze reliable data on the innovation activity of the Russian regions and support the regions in their efforts on the development of innovation programs. A World Bank innovation expert Andrey Zolotarev explained that the idea saw the light of day 18 months ago and was reviewed by the Ministry of Economic Development and potential investors. Currently, the sponsors of the project are Vnesheconombank, Russian Venture Company, Rusnano, and World Bank.

Experts from the World Bank, Higher School of Economics, Russian Academy of National Economy and the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia will work to identify suitable locations. This year they plan to visit ten regions (all AIRR members) and assess their efforts to support innovation activity, actions taken as part of the innovation policy, etc.

They already visited Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk and Kazan and are currently working in Tomsk Region. They are meeting with the representatives of various government levels, Tomsk Statistics Office, universities, SEZ, business incubators and industrial facilities. They will also meet with the Governor Sergey Zhvachkin.

In December, based on the results of all ten trips, four regions will be selected as the sites for the national innovative observatory.

In 2013-2014, work on those sites will embrace three directions: monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of government actions, and support for governmental programs.

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