Ruslan Kukharuk, Acting Governor of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Ugra, spoke about the main areas of cooperation between the region and foreign partners. During the event on the margins of the International IT Forum in Khanty-Mansiysk, he answered the questions of the BRICS Global Media Tour participants. TV BRICS is an international media partner of the event.

Kukharuk noted that Russia is chairing BRICS this year, so interstate partnership plays an important role. The acting governor added that active co-operation between the parties is especially relevant in connection with the digital transformation of society.

“The potential of BRICS will allow the association to become one of the foundations of the multipolar world. In the modern community, digital resources are crucial for economic and social progress and are of great importance in creating a new model of development, a modern economic system, ensuring advantages in competition with other countries. The ability of all institutions to deal with data is of leading importance”

Ruslan Kukharuk Acting Governor of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Ugra

BRICS is now firmly linked to regions with great potential for economic growth – Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, the official added.

When asked by Devadathan Nair Divakaran, Head of The Times of India Moscow Bureau, whether Khanty-Mansiysk has a preferential programme for pharmaceutical manufacturers, Ruslan Kuharuk said that the region is ready to offer its territory for the implementation of projects in this industry and consider requests from investors. TV BRICS and Ugra expressed their readiness to assist in promoting Indian business and investment in the region, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Acting Governor emphasised that India today is one of the leaders in the production of medicines and other pharmaceutical products. 

Ding Deqi, Deputy Director of Xinhua Eurasia Bureau in Moscow, asked the head of the region to talk about the prospects of cooperation between China and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug. Ruslan Kukharuk explained that agreements have already been signed between universities in China and universities in Ugra on scientific projects and student exchange. He pointed out the potential for promoting the region’s products within the framework of the Russian goods fair in China and the possibility of cultural exchanges.

Bui Duy Trinh, Head of the Vietnam News Agency representative office in Russia, inquired about the areas in which the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug’s co-operation with ASEAN in general and Vietnam in particular is relevant. Ruslan Kukharuk singled out several promising areas, such as IT-industry and education.

“If we talk about potential areas for contacts, it is worth considering the possibilities of the digital platform for educational projects. We already have joint projects with ASEAN states in this area, for example, with Laos. Our region has signed several agreements with this country, including with universities,” the governor-in-chief said. 

The official noted that the region assesses the potential of co-operation with international partners on IT solutions for municipal and public services, industry, application of artificial intelligence. 

“Today it is impossible to imagine the work of many specialists without AI. AI helps to identify at an early stage threats to the forests of Ugra, including fires,” Ruslan Kukharuk added. He also expressed willingness to co-operate with Vietnam in tourism. 

On the margins of the XV International IT Forum a co-operation agreement was signed between TV BRICS and District broadcaster “Ugra”. Earlier the media network became a partner of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug.

The BRICS Global Media Tour is the media network’s own annual project, which is attended by the heads and leading experts of the media industry. Representatives from the BRICS and BRICS+ countries came from Egypt, China, Brazil, Cuba, Vietnam, India. Media tour participants from Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran and South Africa watched the events remotely.

The International IT Forum was held from 18 to 20 June in Khanty-Mansiysk. This year, its programme included more than 50 events attended by more than 3,000 people from 47 countries and 61 regions of Russia.

Photo: TV BRICS