Belarus, Russia to set up technology park in 2016

The Belarusian-Russian technology park is expected to be set up in 2016, Chairman of the Belarusian State Science and Technology Committee (SSTC) Alexander Shumilin said at a press conference held to mark the Day of Belarusian Science on 28 January, BelTA has learned.

“Matters of the creation of the Belarusian-Russian technology park were discussed at the latest joint meeting of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, the SSTC and the Belarusian Education Ministry. The project has entered its preparation stage.  We are in talks over the universities that will participate in it. I hope the implementation of the project will start this year,” Alexander Shumilin stressed.

The Belarusian State University is suggested as a possible platform for the technology park.

Alexander Shumilin pointed out that the cooperation between Belarus and Russia has grown much stronger in recent times. “Our plans for the near future include the creation of a Belarusian-Russian venture investment fund for commercialization of innovative projects. The governments have already approved the project,” he added.

As for the scientific and technical projects of the Belarus-Russia Union State, Alexander Shumilin said that ten projects are currently underway. “We think this is not enough. Concepts for another 15 programs have been developed. Now they are under consideration by relevant authorities. In late March-early April, Minsk will host a meeting of the commission for scientific and technical cooperation of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and the SSTC. The concepts of the new programs will be on the agenda of the meeting,” Alexander Shumilin emphasized.