Shifting to innovative development is Russia’s major national project, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak told the forum in Turku, Finland.

He said 1.3 billion roubles have been allocated in 2013 for the support of innovation clusters in Russia. The deputy prime minister stressed Russia prioritises partnership with Finland. Two years ago the countries signed a partnership declaration on economic modernisation, with emphasis on shipbuilding, energy, biotechnologies, TV communications and construction.

The Turku forum is timed to coincide with a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation. The commission is chaired by Dmitry Kozak and Finland’s Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb.