16 January 2024 в 07:05

Technopolis Moscow tops national SEZ ranking

The ranking uses different criteria, including the investment activity of residents, the availability of infrastructure and land resources and global economic challenges

Technopolis Moscow Special Economic Zone (SEZ) topped the National Ranking of SEZ Investment Potential for the third year in a row. It has topped the list of the best Technology and Innovation SEZs, said Vladimir Yefimov, Deputy Moscow Mayor for Economic Policy and Property and Land Relations.

The ranking long list has been prepared by the Association of Clusters and Technology Parks of Russia supported by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation based on the experience of 32 SEZs from 26 Russian regions. SEZs are assessed by several criteria, including the investment activity of residents, favorable business conditions, the availability of infrastructure and land resources, transparency and global economic challenges.

“Technology and Innovation Special Economic Zones are unique areas specializing in the innovation, development and sale of technological solutions and their industrial use. Technopolis Moscow SEZ companies are focused on these aspects, becoming a key center of the capital’s high-tech industry. Experts rated highly its development, a wide range of support measures and services that contribute to the rapid growth of companies. The investment of Moscow SEZ residents in the first nine months of 2023 has already exceeded the last year’s figures, amounting to almost RUB 35 billion. In addition, they have employed over 2,000 people in the first nine months,” said Vladimir Yefimov.

In 2022, Technopolis Moscow SEZ residents employed about 2.000 people-1.4 times more than in 2021. At that time, they invested almost RUB 32 billion in their development. There are currently more than 200 companies at six Moscow SEZ sites employing 16,300 people. Their accumulated investment exceeds RUB 160 billion.

The third win in a row indicates that Moscow SEZ is becoming a leading site to develop high-tech business and achieve the technological sovereignty. Each year, Technopolis Moscow SEZ opens 10–15 new production facilities. Companies develop and produce drugs, robots, microelectronic devices and other high-tech products.

Moscow is adopting a cluster approach to industrial development and promoting the development of sites where developers and manufacturers work together, exchange best practices and test developments. Last year, three high-tech associations were established on the premises of Technopolis Moscow SEZ (photonics and microelectronics, EV manufacturing and pharmaceutics). This year, they were joined by the Federal Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems founded on behalf of the Russian President in Rudnevo Industrial Park.

In 2022, Moscow SEZ introduced an ESG model at its sites aimed at achieving sustainable development goals, which were considered by the ranking experts. Many residents have already introduced ESG standards into their business management, and now companies use resource-saving technologies, sort waste and monitor CO2 emissions. The sustainable development concept is to be introduced by more than 20 per cent of companies operating within SEZ in 2024.