OREANDA-NEWS. September 17, 2009. Mr Sobyanin briefed the President on the ongoing fulfilment of instructions he gave on August 31, 2009, to the Commission for Modernisation and Technological Development of Russia’s Economy.

Other topics of discussion included projects related to new nuclear energy technologies, manufacturing new medical technologies and pharmaceuticals, and a draft law on energy efficiency that was prepared following the results of a State Council meeting devoted to these issues. The President noted that colleagues in Kazakhstan were preparing an analogous project and suggested looking at one another’s work. Mr Medvedev had agreed with to do this with President Nazarbayev during his recent visit to Kazakhstan.

A great deal of attention was devoted to the project on computer technologies and the creation of an “electronic government,” which will have major social significance. Mr Sobyanin announced that in accordance with Government instructions, 74 of the most high-demand government services will be converted into an electronic format. The draft law on obligatory provision of such services in an electronic format has already been presented to the State Duma.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the project to improve access to the Internet will be discussed at a meeting of the Commission for Modernisation and Technological Development of Russia’s Economy in October.

Issues related to project financing, including venture financing for new studies, were also discussed.

The President noted that the Government should pay attention to various ideas being voiced in regard to technological modernisation, including on the Internet. The most interesting among these ideas should be monitored. Mr Medvedev presented Mr Sobyanin with suggestions on several technological projects by one Russian Internet user. President Medvedev remarked that incidentally, the creation of an electronic government and a system of electronic communication is being created expressly in order to give this kind of work a systemic basis.