Russian information market to reach $350m by 2003

By the end of 2002, the volume of the Russian information market is expected to reach $350m, a representative of the Russian Communications Ministry Nikolay Novikov reported to journalists in St. Petersburg. According to him, the volume of modern technologies, including electronic libraries, telemedicine and distant learning, has been growing in Russia. This is an export-oriented line of the Russian economy. The number of regular Internet users has advanced from 2.9 million people in 2000 to 4.3 million people in 2001. In 2001, the number of regular and occasional Internet users totaled 8 million people increasing by 1.5 times as compared to 2000.

In 2000, there were 6.4 personal computers per 100 people, while in 2001, this figure was 7.5 personal computers per 100 people. Novikov pointed to the intellectual potential in Russia. According to him, the priority lines will be the development of production capacities in Russia, the enhancement of software creation and the development of the info-communications industry.