Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "RUSNANO Recaps 2009"

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Abstract:
RUSNANO CEO Anatoly Chubais held a press conference in Moscow today to describe the results of the Corporation's work during 2009.

RUSNANO Recaps 2009

Russia | Posted on December 24th, 2009

Mr. Chubais said that co-investment in industry, infrastructure, and educational projects in nanotechnology are a priority for the Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies.

The Corporation began accepting applications for financing of nanotechnology projects on April 1, 2008. As of December 22, 2009, RUSNANO had received 1,356 applications. Requests for financing totaled more than 1.8 trillion rubles of which in excess of 1.1 trillion rubles was sought from the Corporation. Two hundred and thirty-seven projects are currently in various stages of the Corporation's expert evaluation.

As of December 23, 2009, the Supervisory Council of RUSNANO had approved financing for 61 projects—51 in manufacturing or production, three infrastructure projects, one project in education, and six projects for investment funds. Total financing for these 61 projects is 192.8 billion rubles; RUSNANO will finance 91 billion rubles as its share in the projects.

Project financing is growing rapidly. If by the end of 2008 the Supervisory Council had approved seven projects, by December 23, 2009, that number has increased almost eight-fold, to 54 projects. The growth is largely due to a new approach the corporation is taking in investment policy— gradual transition from passive acceptance of applications to actively seeking out promising investment projects. In July 2009 the corporation achieved its target of starting 15 new projects each quarter.

By the end of 2009, RUSNANO have eliminated the shortfall in project funding from targets set in the strategy of the corporation. Moreover, it will outstrip planned project financing of 29 billion rubles for 2008-2009 with 31.8 billion rubles in funding to projects during the period.

As part of its new approach to investment activity, RUSNANO is expanding opportunities for project financing and contributing to the formation of financial infrastructure for an innovative economy. Thus in 2009 the corporation decided to participate in the establishment of five venture capital funds. RUSNANO and MICEX also launched the Market for Innovations and Investments (MICEX MII). That exchange is designed to attract investments for companies in the small and mid-sized capitalization sector of Russia's innovative economy. MICEX MII hosted the first IPO on December 10, 2009.

In 2009 RUSNANO adopted several key documents. They are the foundation for the corporation's activities in other essential areas. The Supervisory Council approved the concept underlying RUSNANO's work in education on August 4, 2009. In accordance with that document, RUSNANO is to strengthen the human resources capabilities of the industry by supporting advanced training and retraining for nanotechnology professionals. In 2009 RUSNANO held four tenders for educational programs of this sort. By 2015 RUSNANO intends to support 120 educational programs for industry professionals. RUSNANO is working in allied areas as well; for example, it is lending its expertise and assistance in developing professional standards. Finally, RUSNANO will participate in developing inter-institutional programs that will incorporate the best in foreign training to prepare personnel at the highest levels to meet challenges in the future.

On October 13, 2009, the Supervisory Council of the corporation approved a model for nanotechnology centers—complexes and infrastructure devoted to commercialization of nanotechnology. The centers will concentrate technical equipment and competence in incubating small, innovative companies (marketing, management, and information support). The first tender for projects to develop nanotechnology centers will be announced before the year's end; its outcome will be made public in the first quarter of 2010.

RUSNANO hosted the Second Nanotechnology International Forum on October 6-8, 2009. The forum, held in Moscow, provides a global platform for professions to discuss developments and innovations in nanotechnology. This year 11,394 participants and visitors from 78 regions of the Russian Federation and 38 foreign countries attended the forum.

In December 2009 RUSNANO, as provided in a resolution by the Government of the Russian Federation, transferred 66.4 billion rubles of temporarily free funds to the state budget. Decree No 1454-r of the Government of the Russian Federation stipulates that the transfer of RUSNANO's free funds to the state budget shall be carried out on a return basis; it is expected that these funds will be transferred back to the corporation in 2010-2012.

In conclusion, Mr. Chubais noted that achievement of the government-approved strategy for RUSNANO —to bring sales of Russia's nanotechnology products to 900 billion rubles by 2015—depends on investments of roughly 310 billion rubles in nanotech projects. To that end, in 2010 RUSNANO plans to attract resources in the form of external loans under guarantees by the State.

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About RUSNANO
The Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (RUSNANO) was established in 2007 by the Federal law ą 139-FZ to enable Government policy in the field of Nanotechnology.

To accomplish this task, RUSNANO co-invests in nanotechnology industry projects that have high commercial potential or social benefit. Early-stage investment by RUSNANO lowers the risk of its investment partners from the private sector.

RUSNANO participates in building nanotechnology infrastructure, which includes the nanotechnology centers of excellence, business incubators and early stage investment funds. RUSNANO provides scientific and educational programs that are required for its investment projects to succeed, and also supports the popularization of nanoscience and nanotechnology. RUSNANO selects promising spheres for investment based on longer-term foresight created by the leading Russian and world experts.

To assist the Russian nanotechnology industry advance to the global market and strengthening of its international links RUSNANO develops partnerships with the leading nanotechnology centers in the world and organizes the annual Nanotechnology International Forum in Russia.

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Contacts:
Anna Fradkova
press-secretary of the international press office
P.: +7 495 5424444 add.1424
M.: +7 985 7299860

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