Russian govt looking at measures to incentivize export of digital platforms

MOSCOW. June 25 (Interfax) - The Russian government is working on measures to incentivize developers of digital platforms in Russia to export their products, above all to CIS countries, Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Maksut Shadayev said.

Shadayev said during government hour in the State Duma on Wednesday that Russian digital education platforms were "in very high demand in CIS countries". He said that users totaled around 3 million people each month, 650,000 of which were paid members who "pay to study mathematics, programming and master new digital processes".

"In this sense, this resource is obviously in extremely high demand. Of course, we can discuss bringing in concessional rates to increase access for residents of CIS countries. The head of government held a strategy session on the development of the creative economy yesterday, where the export of digital platforms was discussed. There is going to be a special mandate - to develop a special incentive program. The main priority will be CIS countries," Shadayev said.

He said that on the whole, Russia achieved "very good results in the digital space".

"We have many resources which are in demand among residents of CIS countries, who consume content in Russian. Thus, I will read out a few figures. Online theaters and music streaming services have 7 million [users] regularly using them. And most importantly, they pay - 3 million users pay for Russian films and for access to music," the minister said.