The Roadshow event, organised by UK Trade & Investment and the UK Science and Innovation Network, is a chance for over 100 UK companies, research organisations and academic institutions to discuss Russia’s ambitious future plans and funding opportunities for joint projects with Skolkovo Foundation’s senior executives and its highly influential President, Viktor Vekselberg.

These plans centre on a $6bn investment by the Russian Government to create a modern science park, dubbed Russia’s ‘Silicon Valley’, on the outskirts of Moscow.  Part funded by the Russian Government, the Skolkovo Foundation will build a hub to modernise Russia’s technology base. The Foundation is focusing on five clusters; space and telecommunications, IT, nuclear, biomedical and energy efficiency.

This event comes after the Minister for Trade & Investment, Lord Green, signed an agreement with the Skolkovo Innovation Centre on scientific co-operation between the UK and Russia, as part of his visit to Moscow with Prime Minister David Cameron last year. The Roadshow is an important first step in bringing about greater scientific and hi-tech collaboration between the two countries.

Lord Green said:

“Russia’s future is high-value and hi-tech. This event will showcase the unique opportunities in Russia’s ‘Silicon Valley’ for the UK’s hi-tech companies, with all their expertise in innovation and creativity. They are well-placed to build a lasting partnership with Russia, which will be of great mutual benefit.”

Viktor Vekselberg, who will be speaking at a Roadshow event on Wednesday 15th February at the Institute of Directors in London, said:

“We want the UK to play a major role in this once in a lifetime project, opportunities of this scale cross national borders and need international partners to thrive. Innovation is key to modernising Russia’s economy. We have big plans and working together with British companies, we can make these a reality.”

Key figures:

UK goods exports to Russia increased by 51% in 2010 to £3.5bn and increased by 63% to £2.1billion in the first six months of 2011 (1 January – 30 June).

Since 2001, UK-Russia trade has been growing by an average of 21% year on year.

The event:

Starting at 10am on Wednesday 15 February, the Roadshow conference will be held at the Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, London. There will also be the chance for media to interview Viktor Vekselberg at the event.

Russian business billionaire Viktor Vekselberg will oversee the running of the Skolkovo project. Vekselberg co-chairs the Skolkovo Foundation (the project’s management company) with Craig Barrett, formerly CEO at Intel.