At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian Railways, Rostec State Corporation and VEB.RF signed a road map to phase out imports of digital products in the railway industry.

The road map was designed to implement the memorandum on cooperation in import substitution, innovative development and digital economy projects that was signed by the parties in February.

The road map provides for the high-technology products and solutions of Rostec’s Radiolectronics Cluster to be checked-out and tested using the facilities of railway transport companies. Successfully tested equipment can be then purchased by Russian Railways with potential backing from State Development Corporation “VTB.RF’.

“VEB.RF gives priority to major infrastructure projects, introduction of Russian leading-edge technology and digital solutions, and better transport accessibility. VEB.RF cooperates with Russian Railways and Rostec in several key business areas, which are now specified in the road map together with timelines and responsible officers. Importantly, each of our common tasks is ultimately designed to improve the quality of our people’s life,” VEB.RF’s Deputy Chairman Aleksey Ivanchenko said.

“The signing of this road map wraps up the preliminary stage of reviewing our companies’ requirements and capabilities, and we are moving on to collaborative work for the benefit of our customers,” Director for Information Technologies at Russian Railways Evgeniy Charkin said.   

“Cooperation with Russian Railways and VEB.RF will enable Rostec to promptly implement advanced digital solutions in the railways infrastructure. It would also facilitate the achievement of goals set in the Digital Economy national project and contribute to import substitution. Rostec has already created efficient, reliable, cyber- secure and price-wise competitive products, which will be customized for Russian Railways’ needs,” Industrial Director of Rostec’s Radioelectronics Cluster Sergey Sakhnenko said.

The most promising areas of potential cooperation include Russian digital solutions ensuring tight information security for management information systems, IT and telecommunications equipment, robotics, and the industrial internet of things devices management.

At the Russian Investment Forum in Sochi in February 2019, Rostec State Corporation, Russian Railways and VEB.RF signed a memorandum on cooperation in import substitution, innovative development and digital economy projects. The partners have committed to facilitate the creation and localisation of high-technology non-defence products for the benefit of Russian Railways and using technological capacities of Rostec’s companies with potential backing from VEB.RF.

VEB.RF is a state development corporation. In partnership with commercial banks and investors, VEB.RF is involved in national projects designed to support high value-added manufacturing, non-resource exports, urban agglomeration and infrastructure development. VEB.RF coordinates activities of the largest national development institutions: Russian Export Center, DOM.RF, RSMB Corporation, the Far East and Baikal Region Development Fund, MONOGORODA.RF.

One of the largest industrial companies in Russia, Rostec State Corporation comprises over 700 research and industrial companies in 60 regions of the country. Its key business areas include transport engineering, electronics, medical technology, chemistry, and innovative materials. Rostec’s holdings are divided into three clusters: radioelectronics, armaments, and aviation. Rostec’s portfolio includes such well-known brands as AVTOVAZ, KAMAZ, Kalashnikov, Russian Helicopters, URALVAGONZAVOD, and others. Rostec actively participates in all the twelve national projects. The major supplier of the Smart City technology, the company engages in the digitalisation of public administration, industry, and social sectors, and elaborates 5G development programmes, industrial internet of things, big data, and blockchains. Among its partners, Rostec counts leading global producers such as Boeing, Airbus, Daimler, Pirelli, Renault, etc. The corporation exports its goods to more than 100 countries. High-technology exports account for almost one third of the company’s revenues.

Russian Railways is one of the world’s largest railway companies with a vast freight and passenger volume. The company has high financial ratings, skilled professionals in all spheres of railway transportation, a broad science and technology base, project and construction facilities, and considerable experience in international cooperation.

The company operates one of the world’s largest transportation network with 85,500 km of maintained tracks and 43,700 km of electrified lines.

Russian Railways account for 45% and about 25% of Russia’s total freight (including pipeline transportation) and passenger traffic, respectively.