The Russian government has approved an entire concept for the development

MOSCOW, November 18 (RIA Novosti)
The Russian government has approved an entire concept for the development of information and telecommunication technologies until 2010.
"We will take [the concept] as the basis and consider the remarks," Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said, summarizing the discussion during the session.
He told IT and Communications Minister Leonid Reiman that the concept needed to be finalized and coordinated with the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.
At the session, Mr. Reiman proposed reducing customs duties and easing the tax burden on IT and telecommunication enterprises. Deputy Finance Minister Tatyana Golikova commented on the proposals and said it would be possible to reduce customs duties on a number of types of equipment and accessories but, "this would call for additional studies and a financial and economic analysis."
She opposed offering tax benefits under the unified social tax for technology promotion zones. She said it was too early to discuss benefits because the law on technology promotion zones had not been passed. Beginning in January, the unified social tax will be lowered by more than 9%, she added.
Ms. Golikova said she was against the IT and Communications Ministry's proposed income tax deductions for computers and software purchases.
"Currently, these deductions apply to the purchase of housing," he said. "We have agreed to this because this is a social issue." She said property taxes were a fundamental source of revenue for subjects of the Russian Federation and municipal entities and therefore caution should be taken in making these decisions.