International cooperation of technoparks and innovation clusters of the OIC countries: opportunities and prospects
Cooperation between technoparks and innovation clusters of the OIC countries was discussed at the International Economic Forum "Russia — the Islamic World: KazanForum". In particular, the speakers discussed the issues of encouraging innovation, accelerating development and creating a favorable environment for innovative growth.
The session participants discussed the necessary conditions for Russian business to create new production facilities in the OIC countries. Also, what support tools are the governments of the countries ready to provide to attract high-tech companies to their territories.
Today, despite all the advantages and support measures, Russian companies face certain barriers when entering the markets of the KSA and the UAE. Firstly, it is often difficult to understand preferential regimes in detail, due to differences in their regulation. Secondly, in some FEZs there are restrictions on industries and types of activities. Thirdly, the difficulties with insurance, as well as the risks associated with the costs of the project: there are often situations in which investments may not have time to pay off due to the high cost of costs.
"The described barriers for Russian companies in the markets of the KSA and the UAE are a serious obstacle to the development of cooperation between the countries. To overcome them, it is necessary to introduce support mechanisms, such as the provision of subsidies, simplification of insurance and the creation of prepared sites with a "single window," says Mikhail Labudin, director of the Association of Clusters, Technoparks and SEZs of Russia. - The creation of the International Association of Infrastructure Sites of the BRICS countries is an important step in this direction. It will bring together industry players and create a single platform for exchanging information, developing common approaches and assisting businesses in localizing production. This will simplify localization procedures, harmonize regulation and build new chains of cooperation between the BRICS countries."
The tasks of the International Association of Special Economic Zones of the BRICS countries include:
·Attracting investments and supporting joint projects;
·Joint development and implementation of common standards, methodologies and effective management models for infrastructure sites;
·Creation of an international discussion platform to strengthen cooperation and dialogue with stakeholders on the development of infrastructure sites;
·Creation of a common knowledge base for the exchange of best practices;
·Dissemination of the principles of sustainable development and the introduction of an infrastructure platform model aimed at achieving the SDGs.