Mikhail Mishustin holds strategic session on the development of digital platforms

Mikhail Mishustin: "The turnover of goods and services via various marketplaces and electronic services accounts for over 5 percent of GDP. Every fifth company in Russia is using digital platforms. It is important to protect the interests of all stakeholders."

Mikhail Mishustin's opening remarks:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

The Presidential Executive Order On the National Development Goals stipulates the achievement of "digital maturity" in key sectors of the economy and in social services, including federal and municipal governance, by 2030. This provides for the automation of most processes within the framework of unified sector-specific digital platforms. We have met today to discuss progress in their creation and development .

The turnover of goods and services via various marketplaces and electronic services accounts for over 5 percent of GDP. Every fifth company in Russia is using digital platforms in their operation. Online platforms make it possible to establish multilateral interaction among market participants by replacing intermediaries.

Digital platforms are widely used not only in commerce. They are being actively introduced in other spheres, including industry, agriculture, transport and logistics, healthcare, education and many other sectors. Every fifth company in Russia is using digital platforms, which have become the norm in some sectors, and both individuals and economic operators have grown used to them. Take, for example, the banking sector, where 70 percent of Russians use a faster payments system (SBP), and 25 percent of retail clients buy financial products on the relevant marketplaces.

The Public Services portal has simplified the provision of government services. It has 120 million registered users, and its daily audience is 14 million people. Our people have an opportunity to request these services online, saving time.

The introduction of digital platforms in all sectors is giving an additional boost to the economy.

First, this is reducing the outlays of individuals and businesses. Looking for suppliers, signing deals, coordinating delivery and making settlements are becoming more comfortable, faster and, most importantly, cheaper.

Take the market of taxis, which is almost entirely platform-based in Russia. The average waiting time for a car has decreased several times over with the development of aggregators.

It has become simpler to buy tickets, book hotels and streamline cargo delivery logistics online.

Second, we see the development of new economic sectors, primarily the so-called sharing services for collaborative consumption. This includes the renting of cars, apartments, equipment and even production facilities.

Third, digital platforms make for more efficient use of fixed production assets and help streamline work processes. For example, they are used in production to monitor demand and supply online, thereby increasing machine utilisation and avoiding downtime.

Fourth, small enterprises get more opportunities to enter the market, using electronic platforms to gain access to ready-made solutions and business tools, such as sales prospecting and delivery services, as well as payment gateways.

On the other hand, the implementation of digital platforms poses new challenges. These platforms are becoming an increasingly important sales and service channel. We also see the development of a new type of employment: about 16 percent of our citizens regularly or periodically work online. It is important to protect the interests of all stakeholders, both users and service providers.

We must formulate unified data security requirements to ensure the safekeeping of personal and commercial data.

And lastly, we must assess the potential for the development of government platforms and identify the sectors where their application will yield the highest return.