News

Gaidar Institute took part in the international initiative for research and development centers “In dark times, think tanks keep their lights on", dedicated to the fight against spread of coronavirus pandemic.

The third annual report “High-tech business in Russian regions-2020” dedicated to the examination of the development opportunities for regions and businesses amid crisis digital transformation has been published. The study was conducted by experts of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, the Gaidar Institute and the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia with the support of the Interfax Group.
As noted by Stepan Zemtsov, Senior Researcher of the Innovation Economics Department of the Gaidar Institute, the principal author and editor of the report, the relevance of the non-resource business study increased significantly in 2020 amid falling oil prices, declining demand and the forced digital transformation of business as a response to quarantine measures. As part of anti-crisis measures, digitalization, robotics, introduction of online business models, expansion of distant work formats, will be a matter of priority for the coming years. Those businesses managing to successfully switch to digital transformation will survive and thrive after the crisis. 
The authors state in this study that a number of leading and the most successful regions in the development of high-tech business may become centers of long –term non-resource growth of the Russian economy, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow region, Tatarstan, Nizhny Novgorod, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Tyumen regions and some other RF subjects. The report presents the final typology of the regions according to conditions and results of high-tech development. The described differences between the regions in terms of digital inequality, Net-Ready, development of high-tech business, digitalization support practices and startups are significant, but now, in times of crisis, these differences became a proof of survival and economic growth in the future.
The report presents conclusions of annual monitoring, including a review of the personnel capacity in the regions, institutional conditions, infrastructure, public procurement, high-tech exports and tax revenues. A separate part is devoted to the development of startups with their potential to be the platform for long-term post-crisis development.
By the projection of experts, consequences of the current crisis can badly hit the high-tech business in 2020. In particular, public procurements were important for high-tech business while many of them have been frozen for the next few months. Many businesses (auto and aircraft industry, air transport) are focused on consumer demand, which has dramatically dropped. However, pharmaceuticals, electronics, medical products, ICT, R&D, education and healthcare can still win.
The authors of the study believe that a different economy awaits Russia after the crisis if it is possible to create conditions for digital transformation and industry 4.0. However, such crises last usually longer and harder because it will take time to find new solutions. Therefore, experts prepared several thematic reviews describing the possibilities for regions to adapt to digital economy by developing STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics), supporting information technologies, and establishing corporate venture funds. Best regional practices related to digitalization support have been described.

Egor Gaidar would have turned 64 years old on March 19. On the occasion of his birthday, journalist Andrey Kolesnikov invited his friends and associates to the Sakharov Center to talk about the legacy of the architect of Russian reforms.

Aleksey Vedev, Head of Financial Studies Department of the Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy, joined the discussion on “Progressive taxation” in the program “ARE YOU RIGHT? YES!” at the OTR channel.

Due to current dangerous epidemiological situation,  Gaidar readings scheduled for March 26, 2020 in Yakutsk were postponed for safety reasons.
The new readings date will be announced later.

On March 10, Stepan Zemtsov, Senior researcher of the Innovation Economics Department of the Gaidar Institute, delivered his presentation “An assessment of regional innovation system efficiency in Russia: the application of data envelope analysis approach (DEA)” held at the RAS Central Economics and Mathematics Institute.

On February 26, Aleksey Vedev, Doctor of Economics, Head of Financial Studies Department of the Gaidar Institute, shared his ideas on economic forecast at the workshop “Management of the economy” held by RAS at the Central House of Scientists.

On February 21, Viktoria Panova, Sherpa of Russia in W20, Chairman of the Maritime Regional Branch of the Union of Women of Russia and Research Advisor to the BRICS Expert Council held a meeting with civil society representatives on work issues of W20 in 2020 at the Gaidar Institute for Economic Policy. 

On February 27, 2020, the Gaidar Institute’s Scientific Council held its first meeting in 2020.  The main report on the topic: “The Current Situation in the Russian Banking Sector and the Role of Intangible Assets in Promotion of Efficiency of the Banking Business” was delivered by Sergei Zubov, Senior Researcher of the Financial Studies Department, Gaidar Institute.

Within 15 years, the “globalization”, which used to be an important and inevitable factor of our life, has turned into an outdated concept overthrown by the new nationalism. But why did all the international ties and efforts disappear? Were they just a myth? Or is the present-day nationalism a cunning fabrication of the global world?

On February 20, 2020, Irina Tolmacheva, Head of the Legal Department of the Gaidar Institute,  Member of  the Board of the National Endowment Association took part in the meeting of the Council on Development of Regions’ Social Innovations dedicated to the topic:  “Endowment Funds – New Opportunities for Development of Non-Profit Organizations”. The moderator of the meeting held at the Council of Federation was Galina Karelova, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Federation.

Gaidar Institute and Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEF) signed agreement on scientific cooperation. Sergey Prikhodko, IEP Executive Director, signed this document on behalf of IEP.

Forbes magazine published an article “Money indigestion. How to set investments work for Russian economy” by Alexey Vedev, Head of Financial Studies Department of the Gaidar Institute.

Gaidar readings” Development model of the Far East. Implementation of national projects and regional financial systems of the Far East Federal Okrug” will take place in Yakutsk on the 26th of March.