We don't know what innovation is? It's okay!
Oleg Fomichev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development:
"I don't see a big problem
in the absence of an exact definition
innovation"
Elena Timokhina, UNOVA
Deputy Minister of Economic Development Oleg Fomichev told UNOVA in an interview why the government does not see the need for a legislative definition of the concept of "innovation" and what needs to be changed in the economic policy of the state in order to implement the 2020 Strategy.
Tell me, when is it planned to prepare the final version of the Innovation Development Strategy 2020, taking into account all the comments?I think it will take us two more weeks to discuss, and in March we will submit the final text to a government meeting.
But after all, there is still no legislative definition of the concept of "innovation" in Russia, will this not create problems in the implementation of the strategy?Indeed, there is no legislative definition of "innovation", but it is in the regulatory framework (in particular, in Order 305 of Rosstat).
In general, I don't see a big problem in the absence of an exact definition.
Can one of the two draft laws "On state support of innovation activity" being prepared for adoption solve the problem of definition?I was familiar with this document at the stage of its development.
My colleagues and I have discussed the bill more than once. In particular, with Osipov, who oversees this issue in the State Duma. I specifically invited colleagues to discuss the document, taking into account the strategy being prepared for adoption.
However, in the form in which the bill has now been submitted to the State Duma, it does not fully satisfy me. So far, I have great doubts about the need for its adoption. There is no point in adopting a law just to define the concept of "innovation", since everyone will understand this concept in their own way and will still be dissatisfied with the definition. As for the mechanisms of state support prescribed in the bill, I have a lot of questions.
But still, the concept of "innovation" is key in the strategy. How do you understand what developers mean by this word?To do this, we gave a general glossary at the end of the strategy in order to somehow inform the community about our understanding of "innovation".
Of course, you can argue with our definition.
Do you think the definition of "innovation" should be strictly concrete, or rather abstract, as in the West?Just in the 305 order of Rosstat, an international definition is given, and it is so broad that almost anything can be summed up under it.
However, I think we should start with a more rigid definition. We are here between Scylla and Charybdis: there is an incomprehensible definition, there is a controlling body, there is a high level of corruption. And the question of misuse of budget money arises by itself. With an eye on all this, we need to start acting carefully - it is clear that we want to support everyone. But it is necessary to move gradually and cautiously towards expanding the categories of entrepreneurs to whom we provide assistance.
Now we have twisted the nuts in the direction of law enforcement, and if we swing the pendulum strongly in the other direction, we risk losing all the results achieved.
Several expert meetings on the strategy have already been held. Has there been any general understanding of what exactly will change in it?
No, there is no general idea on the amendments yet: we still have a week of meetings. I have already accumulated a large number of comments: both my handwritten notes and what they send us by mail.
Who else is planned to be involved in the discussion?In the near future we will fly to Kazan for negotiations with the Association of Innovative Regions.
A meeting with the scientific community is planned at the Bauman University: academics, university specialists, students, and young people should come there. After that, there will definitely be a discussion with the State Duma and the Federation Council, another expert meeting will be held in the RSPP. The Association of Independent Centers of Economic Analysis has already joined our work. At the exit, we will pass a subcommittee with First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.
The 2020 Strategy includes an indicator of Russia's share in the international market of intellectual services. After 9 years, it should be 10%. Tell me, how realistic is this forecast?This figure is taken from the concept of Russia's development until 2020, this indicator is based on a long-term macroeconomic analysis by industry.
Most likely, this figure will change due to the general adjustment of indicators due to the crisis. But the changes, in my opinion, will not be significant.
What needs to be corrected in the overall economic situation in the country to achieve such an indicator?First, the budget policy.
Now it is focused mainly on social sector subsidies. It is necessary to refocus it on economic development and, in particular, on innovation. The second factor is the tax policy, which is now bent towards ensuring budget revenues and modernization of the social sphere. Due to these priorities, we clamp down on business and cut off incentives for innovation.
As for institutional policy, it is necessary, first of all, to stabilize the innovation climate, remove administrative barriers, and implement investment projects. After all, all innovations exist only if investments are made. And in order for a person to invest, it is necessary that he has the conditions for this.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru11.02.2011