How is Technopolis Moscow being created? Please t
ell us about the results you have achieved so far.
The project was created on the territory of the former AZLK Moskvitch plant in July 2010 and, in December 2012, the site was given the status of Technopolis Moscow. The Moscow City Government sought to replace the bankrupt plant with a special-purpose innovation area for the world’s leading hi-tech companies to launch production quickly and without excessive costs. Preference was given to companies operating in the five key industries: microelectronics, biopharmaceuticals, information and communications technology, robotic technology and advanced materials. Companies working in these areas became the first residents of the technopolis, creating hundreds of jobs for Russian and foreign engineers on our site. Creating such well-paid jobs for graduates of the capital’s technical institutions was another priority of the Moscow City Government. Indeed, Moscow has always been not just a political and economic centre of Russia but also an industrial one.
What support does the technopolis get from the Moscow City Government? How effective is this cooperation?
The Moscow City Government provides significant support in establishing contacts with foreign partners. Information about Technopolis Moscow is represented at all foreign exhibitions and conferences in which the Moscow City Government takes part. In addition, many foreign delegations arriving in Moscow are offered a visit to the technopolis to get acquainted with its residents and infrastructure. These efforts allow the technopolis to pile up foreign contracts, many of which develop into fruitful partnerships.
Are you looking to the foreign experience of developing innovation sites? If so, to what particular countries and in what areas?
Yes, when we had just started reconstructing the Technopolis, we, of course, examined the experience of Singapore, Germany, Finland, Korea and the United States. Following in their footsteps, we created the structure of the controlling site, created a number of infrastructure services for our residents, including a hackspace, clean rooms for companies operating in microelectronics and biopharmaceuticals.
Is it a promising initiative by the Moscow City Government to create innovation sites for improving the city’s investment climate?
It definitely works. And, most important, it is in demand with Moscow’s manufacturing companies. They are particularly interested in long-term leases of such areas, the transport accessibility of production sites and government subsidies. All residents enjoy tax relief and preferences granted by the Moscow City Government. For example, an income tax rate of 15.5% (reduced from 20%) was set for our companies in 2013 for ten years, a zero property tax rate, and loan interest rates are subsidised at the level of the discount rate. Our residents are also entitled to subsidies in compensation for some costs related to obtaining international certificates, lease payments, and costs related to development or modernisation of material and technical resources, organisation or expansion of hi-tech production.
Such guarantees and privileges can only be granted to manufacturing companies by the Moscow City Government.
Source: Moscow City Investment Agency
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