Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a law relaxing registration rules for highly-qualified foreign professionals coming to work in Russia, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

Foreign specialists now need only confirmation of their status from their employer to receive a three-year work permit.

Medvedev wants to attract foreign specialists and investment to innovative industries, including his flagship Skolkovo research hub project, in a bid to ease Russia's financial dependence on its oil.

Dubbed Russia's answer to Silicon Valley, the Skolkovo project is being built from scratch just 20 kilometers outside of Moscow.

MOSCOW, March 23 (RIA Novosti)