Alexander Burkov: regional IT companies occupy serious niches in global markets

As part of the III International IT Forum, the business part of which is taking place in the regional Congress Hall, a plenary session was held with the participation of Alexander Burkov, Acting Governor of the Omsk Region, dedicated to the digital economy.

The organizers of the Omsk IT Forum are the Government of the Omsk region, NP IT Cluster of Siberia and JSC Agency for Development and Investment of the Omsk Region.

As the head of the region noted in his opening remarks, according to experts, a quarter of the global economy will undergo digital transformation in the next five years. Digital transformation will change traditional business models and form new leaders in familiar sectors of the economy. The task of regional authorities is to remove all restrictions and maximize the promotion of modern technologies and technological solutions, both in the public sector and in the business sector.
"We can set strict priorities within the framework of digitalization of the public sector and public services, communications and security. But these priorities should be adjusted as much as possible with the IT community and in no case restrain our general trend towards increasing competitiveness," said Acting Governor Alexander Burkov.
According to Alexander Burkov, today our companies are not just participating in the ongoing changes, but already occupy serious niches in global markets. For example, Omsk developments are currently used by such global giants as Samsung, Apple, Boeing, IBM, Deutsche Bank. Companies in the region are present almost everywhere in the Russian market, even in Chukotka.

Alexander Burkov added to his speech that all the ideas and suggestions that will be made during the forum will be taken into account. On behalf of the acting governor, the regional government has begun to develop a concept for the development of the digital economy in the Omsk region. "There are a number of points that need to be taken into account when building a strategy for the development of the digital economy in the Omsk region. Both small and medium-sized companies that adapt quickly to changes in market conditions, as well as large industrial and agricultural enterprises, should be maximally involved in the process of digitalization. The demand for digitalization in the field of public services and education should increase all the time. We also need additional incentives and support infrastructure development. The widespread penetration of digital technologies into all spheres of the economy and society will cause serious changes in the labor sphere. The transformations will lead to the formation of demand for more highly qualified personnel," said the acting governor.

Alexander Burkov noted that active promotion to foreign markets is necessary. The Omsk Region Export Support Center, operating on the basis of the regional Development and Investment Agency, should be involved in this work. The rapid growth of exports of digital products is not only possible, it serves as a major incentive for development. It is important to maintain this trend by stimulating the active participation of Omsk companies at foreign exhibitions and conferences, helping to work with foreign partners, the main of which should be Kazakhstan. The neighboring state has a demand for Omsk projects in the digital sphere.

During the plenary session, a trilateral Agreement was signed between the Government of the Omsk Region, the All-Russian Public Organization of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises OPORA ROSSII and the Omsk regional branch of the All-Russian Public Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises OPORA ROSSII. Alexander Kalinin, President of the all-Russian public organization of small and medium–sized enterprises OPORA RUSSIA, said: "Small business is an industry that can develop dynamically without large capital investments, without attracting public funds, but at the same time it has its own technologies that allow people to grow dynamically and develop their business in Omsk the region".