The term digital economy is often used in the media today. Politicians, businessmen and scientists use this definition in their reports and speeches, telling about the prospects of financial development.
The future is in the virtual economy
An extended approach to this concept determines that the digital economy is an economic production using digital technologies. In a world where more than 40% of the population in all spheres of life uses the Internet, virtual trading reaches incredible volumes. Digitized monetary relations have become safer and faster.
The virtual part of life has become the place where new products and ideas are created. Testing and testing of fresh inventions is becoming easier, because there is no longer any need to conduct real crash tests of products. Computer visualization allows you to evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of a new product without unnecessary financial costs.
The digital economy is an area of life that is developing at an accelerated pace, which, according to experts, will completely reformat the usual business relationships and existing business models.
The formation of a virtual business environment
The development of the digital economy is proceeding very rapidly. According to financiers, in the near future, considerable “digital dividends” await all participants in this sector. Among them, a decrease in unemployment, lower costs in the production of goods.
The tools that the digital economy offers can fully satisfy customer needs and increase productivity.
E-commerce is able to alleviate crises with the help of accelerated sales of services and products, virtual payment systems accelerate the exchange of goods, Internet advertising in its effectiveness surpasses all previously known methods of warning about a new type of product (service).
Digital Economy in Russia
The development of this sector of the economy is carried out by the government at the legislative level. Back in December 2016, the President of Russia instructed the Federal Assembly to prepare a program for the development of this sector of the economy. Experts from other ministries and departments, business representatives and financiers were involved in the case.
The government understands that the future lies with e-commerce, and the digital economy of the Russian Federation should receive the financial and managerial support necessary for rapid development.
Economic evolution plan
The program for the development of the digital economy in Russia was adopted on July 6, 2017. The main postulate of this document is the full integration of the Russian virtual economy with this area of the Eurasian Economic Union. The state is obliged to create all the technical and financial conditions for the speedy progress of the new financial industry.
Particular attention is paid to the development of computer and telecommunication equipment in Russia. The promotion of domestic software includes the installation of antivirus programs on each imported unit of computer equipment.
The President of the Russian Federation compared this global program in importance with the country's general electrification in the early 20th century. The state project, unprecedented in its influence on economic progress, can be realized thanks to the huge accumulated intellectual potential.
Goals of the state program
The project of the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media is showing excellent prospects for the introduction of digital technologies in all spheres of life.
Resource management (water, energy, fuel) is planned to be carried out using integrated digital platforms. They will allow to unite all market participants in the information environment, reducing transaction costs and changing the system of division of labor.
It is planned to create 50 “smart cities” in which 50,000,000 people will live. Each citizen will be able to contribute to the management of the city, expressing his opinion on special information platforms. Smart cities, thanks to a range of technical and organizational measures, create comfortable conditions for living and business activities.
The state undertakes to create special technological medical centers equipped with the latest technology, in which qualified assistance will be provided.
Practical steps to implement the plan
The deadline for the implementation of a large-scale project is set for 2025. By this time, the Ministry of Communications is planning to create broadband Internet coverage in the most remote corners of the Russian Federation. The government plans to significantly reduce the cost of the services of Internet providers. By 2020, it should not exceed 0.1% of average monthly income, and by 2025, an indicator of 0.05% is planned.
The country begins the deployment of 5G networks. Initially, they will be formed in cities with a population of 300,000 or more. By 2024, there should be 10 large settlements covered by this network.
The transition to electronic documentation that has begun is planned to be further developed. The share of interdepartmental workflow should be up to 90% of the total mass.
The number of services provided by the state online, by 2025 should be 80%, while the majority of the population preferably gives a satisfactory assessment of their quality.
The introduction of unmanned public transport by the end of the program should be implemented in 25 cities of Russia.
The state promises the highest level of support for high-tech enterprises operating in the field of IT. Universities should increase the volume of graduates in the field of computer technology.
How the digital economy of the Russian Federation developed
A systematic approach to the development of the Runet economy began to take shape about 15 years ago. And by 2010, a format for describing and measuring the very concept of “digital economy” was adopted.
In 2011, the Russian Association of Electronic Communications began annually conducting research on online economics. Methods are constantly being improved and modernized, allowing to receive more and more accurate data.
In December 2016, a scientific conference was held on the results of the Runet study, at which it was decided to call the study "Ecosystem of the Digital Economy of Russia", which gives an understanding of the impossibility of further separation of online and offline spheres of economic life.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of state support in such an important activity of today's life as the digital economy. Making the development of electronic technologies a priority, the government is taking key steps to accelerate the growth rate of the state as a whole. The future of the country lies with new technologies.