There is a demand for innovations in Russia. You can trust Chubais!
Anatoly Chubais: Drop the pessimism about innovation in RussiaRIA News
High-tech developments are in demand by Russian consumers, there are new technologies in the Russian Federation that are ready for practical use, so we need to discard pessimism about the demand for innovations in the country, said Anatoly Chubais, Chairman of the Management Board of Rusnano.
The demand for innovations is the key topic of the fourth International forum on nanotechnology RUSNANOTECH–2011, within the framework of which a meeting of the presidential commission on modernization and technological development of the Russian economy will be held in Moscow today.
"Radical points of view are often expressed – we have no demand for innovation. I do not agree with this," Chubais said at a meeting with journalists.
As an example, the head of Rusnano cited long-familiar mobile phones.
"I think everyone sitting here (at the briefing) has a mobile phone in their pocket. No one forced anyone, did not conduct special propaganda and explanatory work, and did not even invent a government decree. Nevertheless, somehow it has grown together," Chubais said.
According to him, the widespread use of mobile communications is evidence that the level of interest in this sector of demand ("business for the consumer") is very significant.
"This means that we have a huge amount of demand in our country, which we very often give abroad today. So, there is something to target innovative business," Chubais said.
The head of Rusnano noted that in an innovative economy, supply also generates demand, in this case there is a demand for innovation from developers of new technologies.
"Before the advent of the iPhone, we did not know that we had a demand to expand the image on the screen (by touching a finger). But Steve Jobs said, "Guys, you need it, I'll do it, you'll like it," and the offer gave birth to demand," Chubais continued.
In his opinion, "it is necessary to answer soberly the question – what do we have in our country with this component, called technology push – the demand that comes from production, from technology."
"I believe that the skeptics are wrong here too... that no one needs anything, no one wants to engage in new technologies," Chubais said. As an example of the fact that there are new developments in Russia ready for practical application, he cited the work of Rusnano, which has already received more than two thousand applications for projects. The company has already supported more than 130 projects worth more than 500 billion rubles. "This is a serious volume," the head of the company said.
"Therefore, it seems to me, it is necessary to discard disbelief in Russian innovations. This is not so, there is demand from consumers, there is also demand from the supply side. With this position, we (Rusnano) are going to the forum and the modernization commission," Chubais summed up.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru26.10.2011