Wednesday, February 12

Russia to help Tajikistan create dozens of technoparks

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To achieve the goals of accelerated industrialization in Tajikistan, President Emomali Rahmon has identified the need to transition to advanced digital and manufacturing technologies. The most important tool in this transition is the creation of industrial technoparks, which are necessary for the creation of new types of industrial products and increasing export opportunities. Therefore, by the 35th anniversary of independence, i.e. in the next 3 years, it is planned to create technoparks in 30 cities and districts of Tajikistan.

In simple words, a technopark is a place where high-tech projects are created and developed. Several enterprises from one or several related spheres, such as research organizations, educational institutions, commercial enterprises, IT-companies and exhibition sites work on one territory, and the technopark is equipped with everything necessary for their effective work. Technoparks create an impetus for economic development because they create additional jobs, expand space for entrepreneurs, improve the image of the city and create more attractive working conditions for ambitious young people.

Experience of developed countries

Today there are about 2500 technoparks in the world – more than 300 objects are located in 60 regions of Russia, including 35 in Moscow. Active creation of innovation parks began in the 2000s on the initiative of President Vladimir Putin, as the country’s economy needed a boost in development. This task was accomplished, the demand for such sites in the country is growing, and over time more and more technoparks appear.

The largest technopark in Russia with an area of 96 thousand square meters is Skolkovo, a project of national scale. Today this technopark includes more than 450 residents who are provided with all the necessary conditions for business development.

The priority areas of Skolkovo Technopark are solutions in sustainable development, construction, cybersecurity, energy, event management, catering, geopositioning, telecommunications and transportation. The Technopark hosts an annual conference of innovative technologies “TECH Week”. This conference discusses the digital transformation of Russian business, artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning, blockchain technologies, virtual and augmented reality, business analytics, investments in Russian startup projects. Speakers include representatives of large Russian and international companies (Yandex, Rosatom, OZON, Gartner, Sber, MTS), as well as IT startups (Dostavista, ECOS, VR Concept).

At the same time, the technopark is only one of the structures of the broad ecosystem of the Skolkovo Innovation Center, which occupies an area of 400 hectares and whose construction was started in 2011 on the initiative of Dmitry Medvedev, who was in charge of the country at that time. Today, the Skolkovo Foundation includes four areas of innovative technology development: a cluster of biomedical technologies, a cluster of energy-efficient technologies, a cluster of information technologies and a cluster of advanced industrial technologies.

The startups supported by the Skolkovo Innovation Center are not only distinguished by their technology, but also by their social importance. For example, the CaterWil project produces wheeled caterpillar wheelchairs, which allow to move even on stairs and other obstacles. And the company Genotek is developing a service for diagnosing rare hereditary diseases based on data analysis.

In 2023, Skolkovo allocated 820 million rubles for grant support of projects. For example, a grant of 20 million rubles was awarded to a software project that will allow real-time monitoring of severe patients. And a grant of 47 million rubles was allocated for a project to introduce technological support for automated processing of agricultural land.

Tajikistan’s leadership also has serious plans for the technological development of economic sectors. At the end of last year, Emomali Rahmon ordered the construction of an innovative technopark in the Pyandj district of Khatlon Oblast. Nine enterprises are expected to appear there to produce flour, oil, soft drinks, confectionery, pasta and other food products, napkins and household items, as well as vegetable and fruit processing enterprises. These enterprises will create more than 200 new jobs.

And in Dushanbe, with the support of local authorities, a technopark from the unitary enterprise “Smart City” will appear, where small IT-companies working in the field of commercialization will receive support. In addition, this technopark is aimed at educational function – training of modern highly qualified specialists.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Russia will open technoparks and branches of its technoparks in Tajikistan. According to the head of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Lilia Gumerova, young people interested in Tajik-Russian scientific and technical projects can ensure the technological sovereignty of the two states through their work.

The first Russian-Tajik technopark may appear on the territory of the Korgokhi Moshinsozi enterprise.

In addition, Tajikistan has designated for Russia 9 more places where joint technoparks can be built. Construction of technoparks on the basis of former Soviet enterprises of Tajikistan is one of the plans envisaged by the road map signed in February by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan. Industrial cooperation with Russian enterprises is a priority for Tajikistan, according to Sherali Kabir, head of the Tajik ministry. He also noted that intensive work is already underway in all areas outlined in the roadmap.

The creation of technoparks in Tajikistan with the participation of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan is being considered – we are talking, in particular, about a chemical technopark. In addition, Russian companies are planned to participate in such sectors as light industry, metallurgy, energy, machine building and medicine. At the same time, production in these technoparks will be oriented to the Tajik market.

According to Niez Mirzoyev, professor of the Department of International Relations at TNU, the participation of Russian companies in the development of industry in Tajikistan is an extremely positive phenomenon for the republic. The professor considers light industry and cotton processing, dried fruit processing and canning, as well as pharmaceuticals as promising areas for such cooperation. “I welcome the development and expansion of mutually beneficial relations with Russia. The development of technoparks is a useful and necessary initiative for Tajikistan in the context of the country’s five-year industrial development plan,” Niez Mirzoev said.

Not just Tajikistan

Russia already has experience in creating joint technoparks with other countries. For example, the Russian-Chinese technopark Druzhba is operating in Moscow, and other joint technoparks are located in five Chinese provinces.

The experience of neighboring Uzbekistan, which activated cooperation with Russia in the development of technoparks much earlier, is particularly relevant for Tajikistan in this matter. In March 2022, construction of the Chirchik chemical-industrial technopark began in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, where the production of petrochemical and chemical products with high added value will be organized. This project is being implemented in cooperation with Kazan’s Khimgrad technopolis. Already in 2022, the first batch of products was exported from Chirchik – seals for plastic windows and aluminum systems were sent to Kazakhstan.

Technopolis Himgrad also opened another industrial park in Jizzak together with Uzbek state holding Uzkimyosanoat. It is planned that at least 36 companies with an investment volume of 60 million dollars will become its residents.

In addition, Uzbekistan and Russia are working on the development of Eltech Industrial Technopark in Tashkent region for the production of electrical products with high added value. In October, agreements were reached on the creation of two more industrial parks in the republic on the model of Russian technoparks Alabuga and Master.

Russia’s experience and developed competencies in the field of high-tech production, as well as in industrial cooperation both in Tajikistan and in other countries, will undoubtedly help to develop the economy of our country and ensure its technological security.

Source
https://pressa.tj/vysokie-tehnologii-i-innovaczii-rossiya-pomozhet-tadzhikistanu-sozdat-desyatki-tehnoparkov/

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