Chief Russia Official for Information Technologies and Communications to hold Press Conference in London

MOSCOW, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Minister of Information Technologies and Communications, Leonid Reiman, will brief reporters on a comprehensive new government program to make Russia a leading player in the global IT market.

The program is an integral part of the government’s strategy to shift Russia away from dependency on fuel exports toward a knowledge- and service-based economy.

Minister Reiman will address reporters at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Center in conjunction with the 8th Annual Russian Economic Forum. The event will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the Rutherford Room.

In a speech leading off the Forum’s second-day plenary session, the Minister will outline for the first time to foreign audiences the new government push to turn Russia into a global leader in outsourcing and software exports. The initiative will systematically leverage the Russian workforce’s historic scientific and technical talent.

"Information technology is Russia’s next natural resource," says Minister Reiman. "It will be a key driver under a new paradigm of Russian economic development and modernization."

The program, backed by President Putin, will include the creation of free economic zones and a national network of technoparks, as well as overhauling the industry’s legal and tax environment to boost further growth.

The Minister is also spearheading a revolutionary effort to turn Russia into a full-fledged information society. The e-Russia initiative is aimed to provide equal access to information to all Russian citizens, enhance government transparency, eliminate the digital divide, and create a vibrant civil society in Russia.

Minister Reiman holds a Ph.D. in engineering and a more advanced Doctor of Science degree from St. Petersburg University. As Minister, Mr. Reiman has overseen the development of one of the world’s fastest growing information technology industries. The industry has been growing at 20-25% a year, outpacing every other sector of the Russian economy. Minister Reiman is a recipient of the prestigious "Minister of the Year" award for his outstanding contribution to Russia’s economic and social development.
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