OREANDA-NEWS. July 23, 2010. Under Business Community Assembly initiative all-Russian campaign “National Project – Russia” arranged with support of the Center for Social-Conservative Policy of the FS RF State Duma Committee for Economic Policy and Entrepreneurship and the RF Chamber of Commerce and Industry was held. Within the event several topical discussions including strategic issues of economy and society took place, reported the press-centre of FBK.

The final discussion “Russia: Image of Desirable Tomorrow or How to Make Russia Good for Living?” involved Igor Nikolaev, Director of the Strategic Analysis Department. So, in his speech he expressed his opinion regarding building “foreign town” in Moscow region of Skolkovo. The expert reminded that the “foreign town” continued a number of projects aimed at innovative development of Russia: photodiode bulbs, supercomputer, and hybrid cars from Mikhail Prokhorov. In opinion of Igor Nikolaev, the principle condition for innovative development is demand for innovations. “When talking about Skolkovo, we forget about this basis. The “foreign town” will not generate demand, at its best, something will be created there”, the economist noted.

According to him, demand for innovations will appear when they become an argument for competition and introduction of novelties becomes a need. “This is possible only with economy of high competitive level. So far we have dramatically low competitive level in economy”, Nikolaev emphasized. He provided official data of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, according to which 60% of cases concerning violation of legislation for protection of competition are initiated against authorities of all levels – from municipal up to federal. “Unless we solve the issue regarding competition, we will not have innovative economy and no kind of Skolkovo will help us”, Nikolaev concluded.

All-Russian campaign attracted considerable interest of representatives of federal ministries and departments, local authorities, executives of Russian companies as well as representatives of expert community.