The Skolkovo Fund providing money and support for the eponymous Russian hi-tech hub plans to hold a tender for developing its architectural concept in July, the fund head said Friday.
"We will hold a tender to choose an organization to prepare and develop the architectural concept," said Viktor Vekselberg, who is also the founder of Russian conglomerate Renova Group and a member of major Russian oil company TNK-BP's board of directors.
In February, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced the establishment of a modern powerful center for research and development. The media quickly dubbed it Russia's Silicon Valley after the Northern Californian region that has served as a model for such centers in the United States and worldwide.
Skolkovo is being built from scratch 20 km (12.4 miles) outside of Moscow. Research at the center will focus on five priority spheres: energy, information technologies, communication, biomedical research and nuclear technologies.
Vekselberg, who spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, said talks are underway with leading world companies to get them involved in the Skolkovo project.
"We are holding talks with Nokia, Siemens, Microsoft; the great Boeing is considering the possibility of 'landing' in Skolkovo with its projects," he said.
Vekselberg said the infrastructure for the hub is being developed.
Russia considers the development of the hi-tech and innovation sector a top priority, pledging billions of dollars to finance the sphere.
ST. PETERSBURG, June 18 (RIA Novosti)
