Conference "ZATO - Area of State Interests", Sarov , 15-16 February 2011

From 15 to 16 February in Sarov there was held a second annual conference "ZATO - Area of State Interests". On each of the two days Heads of Closed Cities, representatives of the State Corporation ROSATOM and managers of innovation companies assembled in Obyedineniye BINAR to discuss the most relevant issues.

On the first day, 15 February, in BINAR there was held a meeting of the working group on organization of an innovation cluster in Sarov. All the participants noted a common problem which they will have to solve properly and efficiently in the framework of the cluster - the lack of qualified innovation managers and marketing specialists responsible for promotion of innovation products.

On 16 February BINAR became a work platform for discussion of innovation business development in Closed Cities. At the meeting General Director of Systema Close Co. Igor Kapustin, Director of GC Binar Co. Alexandr Korobko and General Director of Konsar Close Co. Boris Pronevich gave presentations about activity of their companies.

The issue of financial support for hi-tech companies was a separate topic for discussions. Managers of innovation enterprises from nearly all closed cities noted that the CNCP Programme plays a special role in this issue. Due to the funding provided by CNCP many companies were able to procure the major part of equipment required, create jobs and continue their activity on the whole. Unfortunately, there is no analogue of the CNCP Programme so far, but the participants expressed a hope that the one would appear soon.

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