Komi in Northwest Russia set to improve innovation infrastructure

The Republic of Komi, a large region in Northwest Russia, has adopted a program aiming to develop innovation infrastructure, especially in the oil and gas and biotech clusters

The Republic of Komi, a large region in Northwest Russia, has adopted a three-year program aiming to develop properly functioning innovation infrastructure, the Alliance-Media National Business Partnership website reported. The focus of the region?s effort in this area will reportedly be on developing a sizable oil and gas technology cluster, and also laying the foundation for a prospective biotech cluster. To support the program, the region has decided to allocate a total of $1.4+m, spending approximately $500,000 each year. According to regional authorities, by the end of this year an estimated $220,000 will be spent on grants for innovators willing to start their own businesses. To back the effort, another $370,000 is expected from federal coffers. The region expects that before 2014 starts, at least 15 innovation projects will receive ample government support. Earlier this year Komi began putting together an IT park...