Lagging behind the world in the development of microelectronics for 15 years, Russia critically depends on foreign technologies in the design and production of relevant products, the authorities concede as the sanctions have made further development even more challenging.
The main issues of Russia’s microelectronics industry are listed in a draft policy document about industry development until 2030, These are difficulties with mastering technological processes below 180 nm; the lack of production capacities; the inability to meet market demand with the required electronics; the acute shortage of personnel; the high cost of component production; and low investment attractiveness.
Meanwhile on the global market, Russia faces “unfair competition” due to better and more affordable products from other countries.
The authorities hope Russian businesses, in the context of international sanctions, will manage to create an electronic engineering industry from scratch, dropping foreign electronics technologies. The government will stimulate manufacturers by providing easier access to grants, subsidies and preferential loans to stimulate extra-budgetary investments.
Officials expect that, with such an approach, Russian microelectronics will assert themselves on both domestic and international markets.
A source in a large microelectronics company said the industry needs “not strategic predictions, but emergency measures: financing, assistance in expanding production and large investments.” The government is going to continue its policy of subsidies and state contracts, which benefit to “three or four companies” only, the source complains.
This article is an abridged translation of a story that appeared in the Russian version of The Moscow Times.
