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Russia's future lies in advanced technologies, not
energy: Putin
December 4, 2001
AFP
Russia's economy should focus more on advanced technologies and be less dependent on the energy sector, President Vladimir Putin has told members of the Russian Academy of Science.
"In developed countries, advanced technologies, not the energy sector, account for more than 50 percent of GDP, and I am convinced that this is where Russia's future lies," the Itar-Tass news agency quoted Putin as saying during a meeting with academy members on Tuesday.
Energy and raw materials currently make up for a large part of Russia's income, particularly oil, gas and nickel.
The Russian president also appealed for the reinforcement of legal protection for intellectual property rights, an area notably underdeveloped in Russia.
Increased intellectual property protection is one of the conditions for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which Moscow hopes to achieve by 2003.
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