TAdviser Interview: Sergey Maksimchuk, the acting the vice governor of Primorye - about business approaches at digitalization of the region

Sergey Maksimchuk: You know, my many acquaintances and colleagues did not understand why I took such atypical step. I for the life changed several industries. By training I am international lawyer, graduated from MGIMO. Long time worked in the construction industry, then turned into banking sector. Then worked in hi-tech company IBM. And here now it appeared on civil service. And what me really carries away, so it is new technologies, I seriously am engaged in them more than 10 years. Why I moved to Vladivostok? First, I saw the strategic region for disclosure of my potential in new aspect - digital transformation of the region. Besides there very strong governor - Oleg Nikolaevich Kozhemyako came. He called me to Primorsky Krai, and I see here an opportunity to implement successful cases of digital transformation.

Far East is not only strategic region of our country. It has a unique geopolitical position – many adjacent countries and in general high potential to which digital technologies are capable to provide sharp growth. It is very difficult to achieve in this or that industry of multiple growth without use of modern technologies, in some in general it is impossible. In the conditions of Primorsky Krai – it is possible.

Sergey Maksimchuk: Yes, you are right. A look rather fresh – I deal with edge issues ICT four months, since June, 2019. As for strategic plans, in Primorsky Krai the strategy of social and economic development is accepted. As my prior workplace – the international consulting company, one of the world's largest in the IT area, I see clearly that effect which the advanced methodologies of digital transformation are capable to give, and the fact that we have no necessary competences in full now. Therefore at the moment we are going to announce competition, to attract, including, the large consulting companies in order that using the partner to develop detailed strategy of digital transformation.

As for important observations, I would like to emphasize, so to say, customer focus which needs to be meant at creation of this strategy. I mean that, first of all, we should consider the interests of three main groups of our users. We mean by users, first, our citizens. We want to understand that to them, really, it is necessary, in terms of, digits. What services are necessary to them? What they have needs for a part of IT? And what their problems we can resolve using technologies?

The interview with Sergey Maksimchuk (on a photo - at the left) at the TAdviser IT Government DAY conference were held by the regional informatization expert Roman Urnyshev

The second user group is our public servants. They have a number of the difficulties and problems in the address with digital technologies too, with those IT solutions which work already today. And the third group of our users is a business. Business too actively uses modern technologies, and we shall consider it.

The main guiding star for us is the national project "Digital Economy". At us, as well as at all other regions, agreements on implementation of regional projects in pursuance of the national project are signed. There are departmental projects. "The smart city" - one of large projects which implementation we began. In general, now it is not really clear to us where after all to run? Extensively it is heavy to run, especially, taking into account that at us human resources are limited, and besides they not strongly develop digital competences. Approach from the interests of users gives us the chance of prioritizing of our actions. And the road map will become result of development of strategy: it will consider the interests of our users and will be also synchronized with key indicators of the national project.

Besides, we want to develop IT transformation strategy. You know, in four months I could not achieve to receive exact data on that IT landscape which we have. It is clear only that it is very big "zoo" of systems. I worked in the bank industry five years, all know that in banks, from the point of view of IT, "zoo". But here, I want to tell you, with it it is even worse! It is very difficult even to understand where what systems are used and what technologies work. I think that external experts will help us to book detailed audit and to develop target IT architecture in order that the developed principles were underlain in those IT solutions which we will develop.

Sergey Maksimchuk: The budget small, and we work in this direction now. It consists of several components. There is a budget of department of informatization (in some regions they have the status of the ministry) – the money directed to specific IT solutions for specific industries: medicine, education, etc. At the same time specialized departments also have IT budgets. In other words, the IT component of the regional budget is spread on all industries. We want to centralize and optimize this structure.

Since new year we change all structure of a state administration: there will be a Government of the region and Ministry. And in each Ministry at the level of the deputy - the, so-called, digital emissary. This is the person who will observe the digital agenda in the industry, to be responsible for key performance indicators. And one more important point: we want to increase the IT budget not at the expense of the regional or federal budget, and via mechanisms of the public-private partnership (PPP).

I am convinced that the large companies should make own investments in digitalization of our country. The state in return, of course, should create clear transparent conditions for return of these investments. But to wait from the state that it will find money for all digitalization through the whole country, I think, is not necessary.

Sergey Maksimchuk: I will begin with the fact that concerning data, especially, artificial intelligence, machine learning which now all very famous, have two basic problems. The first is a lack of competences. In regions, it is not important: in Vladivostok or somewhere else, absolutely there are definitely not enough competences, i.e. people who understand what is data what value from them can be taken and why they in general are necessary.

The second problem is that, by and large, this, ready for the analysis, formulation of these or those hypotheses, decision making, actually is not present. Of course, data accumulate in the separate systems. In health care – the system, in a state administration – the systems, which a little and so on on the industries. They are among themselves badly integrated. For us a huge problem – following: when numerous requests come from different departments, we spend a lot of time just for collecting of these data. Because there is a lot of systems, data need to be collected, and they are aggregated most often manually through the tables Excel. It turns out, of course, very long and boringly, and people are overloaded not with so interesting routine work.

For the solution of all these problems complex approach is necessary. Therefore we, first, waste great efforts to training of government employees and, including, heads. On the other hand, we carry out work on consolidation of data. Now I will answer directly your question that it for me "management on the basis of data" or that too most, Big Data in state. management? First, it is an opportunity to formulate hypotheses on the basis of data. For example, if we want to enter some social payments for certain categories of citizens, then having reliable and up-to-date data at the order, we can predict that it will give to preferential categories and also in what it will pour out for the regional or federal budget. Secondly, data are an opportunity for more exact and weighed decision making, management decisions.

Sergey Maksimchuk: I think in order that it is more effective to solve problems of our citizens. Probably, one universal answer is absent, it is necessary to look on the industries. At everyone - the specifics, and in everyone we can understand what citizens have problems as we can react to them as we can help them. For example, analyzing the available data, we can predict, let us assume, in the preventive mode approach of some natural disasters, and in time warn inhabitants to undertake measures. In medicine, collecting data, it is possible to understand what drugs are not enough for us. Understanding with what intensity these drugs are used, in time to perform supply of these drugs. And such examples can be much.

Now we work on that while we learn to collect data in one place, we had competent people who will be able to work with data. So will be able to formulate these cases from practical life, to build hypotheses which will help to increase, eventually, quality of life of citizens of our edge.

Sergey Maksimchuk: It is difficult to give the exact answer to a question what technologies it is more important for the state … My opinion is as follows: will be, I think, more effectively if business develops technologies, and the state should create conditions for this purpose and, maybe, create a request for technologies, describing what problems exist. Then business will think up what technology to apply to the solution of a specific problem. At us in the region we were now focused on the solution of basic problems: training of government employees in bases of digital transformation, formation of digital competences. It is necessary to raise the level of a common understanding of digital economy at us in the region. I cannot talk to municipalities today about artificial intelligence because there is no common understanding of a subject of a conversation, meanwhile we speak different languages.

You now, probably, think that I try to leave from the direct answer. It's not true. I say that there are some basic questions, and here they need to be solved first of all. And already then we will reach also artificial intelligence, and all the rest.

Business now actively develops technologies. Real cases of use of these or those technologies are now developed. Then we can shift these cases to the relations of the state and the citizen, the state and business.

Sergey Maksimchuk: It is several problems. First, this lack of stable communication channels, especially, if we speak about a situation when the DPC, suitable for service model, is outside our region. Often today just there are no communication channels, stable so that everything worked well and uninterruptedly.

Secondly, if to speak about cloud solutions, they often are not be financially more effective, than storage in the DPC. So far I do not see offers of multiple increase in efficiency when using cloud computing. But there is a number of the problems concerning storage of sensitive information or construction of a private cloud. Now there is a study of construction plans of network of regional reference data centers over the country. Primorsky Krai participates in this program, and we count needs of our region, the neighboring regions of the Far Eastern Federal District and the adjacent countries now. We see our rather big internal requirements and it already is the basis for construction of local data center.

Sergey Maksimchuk: No, we are not afraid of it. Now we are engaged in the corresponding calculations. Requirements of Administration of Primorsky Krai, specialized departments, municipalities, requirements of Far Eastern Federal University and also requirement of large enterprises, telecom companies, banking organizations which are also interested in construction of own DPC are the basis. We in this plan integrated, agreed about that under the auspices of Regional administration to construct a uniform data processing center based on modern technologies and the advanced approaches. We take as a basis needs of those project participants which already actually were signed for what these certain capacities will use. And still we conduct negotiations with the adjacent countries, our neighbors, in particular, by South Korea. Representatives of Seoul told that at a good ratio price/quality they are ready to store at us backup copies of insensitive information.

Question from the hall: These negotiations with neighboring countries include discussion of deliveries of their technologies, the equipment?

Sergey Maksimchuk: No. At this stage we look for partner consumers, but not suppliers of technologies or the equipment. It is only about what I told, these countries will be able to place with us backup copies of the data provided that at us it will do more profitable, than now, and at comparable quality. Here the speech not about the equipment.

We will hold similar negotiations with the Chinese and Japanese partners. And already according to the results of all arrangements and results of a research of requirements we will understand what scale of DPC to us it is necessary.

Sergey Maksimchuk: Yes, now this program goes in one and all regions of our country. It is expected three years: 2019 – 2021 the Ministry of digital development on a centralized basis held competitions, they already came to the end, winners are defined. In our region competition was won by Rostelecom company and we render it assistance in approval of the list of specific objects and acceptance of works. According to the plan we will connect socially important objects even in the most remote corners of our edge. And by 2021, as expected, changes in the law "About Communication" according to which then we will be able to connect subscribers who are nearby to these remote points will be accepted. It is very large-scale program. At us over 1200 socially important objects will be connected on broadband Internet access. I think, penetration of the Internet will very strongly increase, and not only at us in the region, but also through the whole country.

Sergey Maksimchuk: Payment of services of communication will be performed from regional and municipal budgets. Plus the broadband Internet – same an impulse to development, including, for small business in such remote localities. We hope that, having got Internet access, business uses this impulse and will begin to develop. Respectively, the economy will develop, and the budget - to be filled. Means, there will be money, including, on payment of communication channels.

Sergey Maksimchuk: I will begin with the fact that we have several projects, and at everyone - the indicators. Besides, "The digital economy" requires very much a lot of work at the federal level, and, many things become for the first time. In these conditions to take and break into indicators all over the country is very hard task. Besides regions different, all have problems, own regional specifics. To start at the same time in 85 regions and to approach individually formation of these indicators extremely difficult. It is possible to criticize indicators, but here a question: how to make them is better and more effective? I think, the regional specifics are very important factor.

On the other hand, if to speak about the profile ministries, then the Ministry of digital development and the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Construction and all others which are involved in digital economy actively help regions at emergence of questions. Let's follow an example - an indicator about the personnel for digital economy. Planned targets are on a centralized basis counted and lowered on all regions. For example, we have 3250 specialists with digital competences, we should release such quantity the next year. Yes, we have powerful universities: DVFU and some more large universities. We cope with these indicators.

And here, let us assume, the Jewish Autonomous Region – there at all there is no university, and they should release several hundred people. Of course, asked a question in the center: how can we provide it? Colleagues from the ministries help to resolve an issue in an individual order.

Sergey Maksimchuk: Yes, regional specifics – an important thing. Plus regions have the specific resources incomparable with each other. Therefore it is necessary to be guided by leaders always, of course, but to put it in a duty, probably, risky. Because then the small region having smaller resources can not come to the set purpose. I think what industry KPI and regional KPI is a good story.

If to speak about our edge, then I would deliver KPI, for example, on forestry and fishery. So on those branches of the economy which make a big contribution to the budget, and in which the digit, respectively, could play the most effective role. And still I as to the person with experience of business lack one more KPI type – that which shows the level of satisfaction of users. Those users whom I listed at the beginning of the conversation: citizens, government employees, business. What does the digit for them do? What benefit does it bring them? Today for us there is no ready formula therefore, unfortunately, I cannot sound it. But to measure satisfaction of our citizens concerning those digital actions which are already implemented or will be still implemented, probably, it would be useful.

Sergey Maksimchuk: In my opinion, it is necessary to work effectively for itself better to understand that it is necessary for your region. And the second - is more often to communicate with federal colleagues. Because also a grant system is, but also subsidizing was not gone anywhere. It is, on certain directions it is possible to receive a subsidy. Another thing is that the relevant information does not gather in the one and only place that it was possible to understand quickly what are opportunities for attraction of federal funds in your specific projects. In it yes, there is a certain problem.

At the same time, as I already spoke, I trust for benefit of PPP in the IT sphere, in the field of digital transformation. It is absolutely normal. In the West this stage was already passed: large corporations if they want that the digital base based on which they will be able to earn was created, should make own investments, but not wait when the state for them makes all this. Because finally they will earn then from the infrastructure constructed with their participation.

Therefore here two of my councils. The first: develop specific proposals and come to Moscow, talk to colleagues. They will always meet requirements of you. If your offers appear, really, are interesting also on case, then here will find how to make it: or as a pilot project to include your region in this or that program, or will prompt what subsidy and where exactly can be received on this project.

The second council: develop PPP, talk to business, explain to them that No. 44-FZ consigns to the past. Today we go to a story with public-private partnership.

Sergey Maksimchuk: I will tell about our experience on the example of the Smart City project. It is the big diversified project in which we are engaged now. It has many different elements: is profitable and absolutely non-profitable. So, many services useful to inhabitants, directly do not bring any income. What do we do? We pack a set of services into one contract. To the commercial investor finally it is important that total profitability of services - those which signed plus, and those which signed minus, - was with plus. When I came to work to the region, saw that from this smart city the most "greasy" pieces want to take out, to implement them, and then we will lose with a chipped washing-tub to think what to do with services, unprofitable, but very useful to inhabitants.

Sergey Maksimchuk: And the regulatory base is not enough, and the acquired practice is not enough. For work we consolidate all competences which are in the region, the created investment attraction agency and some more non-profit organizations in such conditions now. We integrate everything in uniform regional institute of development. We want to concentrate competences, attracting, including, the large companies which have both the experience, and the offers. Let's finish the regional regulatory base and, including, to reach federal level, to offer those changes and completions which are necessary in order that these mechanisms began to work effectively. At the federal level work in this direction is conducted too.

It is clear, that with No. 44-FZ there is already both an experience, and judicial practice. But it does not mean at all that there everything is debugged so that everything will be good. I want to tell about to what direction point trends only. The fact that we have no general understanding and there are some spaces – it is normal. Just we need to move everything in this direction, to begin to handle these issues. Then it will be more understanding. It is necessary to handle and realize all arising issues: we can or cannot? What are obstacles? How can they be worked and overcome? At the regional level, at least, at us in the region it can be made – we work in a close sheaf with legislative assembly of Primorsky Krai here. And there people too well understand all this, are trained to bases of digital transformation. At us, by the way, such training of three hundred public servants is planned for the beginning of November.

Training is provided under the auspices of a RANEPA. Of course, it is not a panacea but only the beginning. We work on such programs for the highest leadership team of the region and for municipal employees now. But it needs to be done on a regular basis and, of course, after such theoretical actions of these people it is necessary to plunge into practice that knowledge was set in practice as soon as possible.

Sergey Maksimchuk: It is heavy to tell … There is, of course, a workflow system with which daily large number of people works. And if something happens to it, it can lead to collapse … Another thing is that there is a lot of IT systems. And on my position all industries and all our departments are equally important for me. Still that "zoo" of systems about which I spoke at the beginning. We have an idea as it is possible to cope with it. We want to take bank experience as a basis: it is micro service architecture and platform solutions.

Now we make the decision on creation of Digital laboratory of the Government of Primorsky Krai. We want to grow up at ourselves competence on development of digital products and we want to build the platform which will integrate the existing systems, will be able to integrate data which are in these systems. Then, in fact, the old systems will play a role of databases, and those necessary changes which will be necessary to us, we will enter already to this platform. Let's build it on the basis of micro service architecture - it is such very modern advanced approach. It is used several years in the bank industry, proved the efficiency and fault tolerance. Here such plans for development and for more effective development approach of IT systems at us in general.

Sergey Maksimchuk: For us the Digital laboratory is an opportunity to leave from vendor dependence, to lower it. Practically all IT systems, at least, at us in Primorsky Krai, are ordered from vendors. And they, it is kind of softer to be expressed? - lost touch with reality. What does it look like? In the beginning they provide some IT solution conditionally free of charge. "Place on a needle". And, give limited functionality of the solution. And the next year … It turns out very long and very expensively. Any change is a new tender, all circles of hell again. We define now what systems at us the main, and we want to take away this story to ourselves, for own development. It, first, will be much cheaper. Secondly, it will be much quicker. And, thirdly, it means interesting challenges for our young employees who in a large number leave every year walls of our universities. And, without having found for itself applications, leave. And not only in the central part of the country. Go abroad also, unfortunately.

Sergey Maksimchuk: Yet I have no direct answer to these questions. But besides owing to the fact that I work in this position not so long ago. We conduct work on change of databases in the social sphere now. At us today each municipality maintains the database on the social sphere. And, they have even no uniform qualifier. Today we lead qualifiers to a uniform form. Let's integrate then these data. But only we will think then what next with it to do.

In terms of a Unified identification and authentication system. Yes, it is, probably, the most widespread system at us. We use it also on the regional portal of state services, both in MFC, and in a number of services. Systems connected with electoral processes with a military duty, use other databases. Somehow all this needs to be integrated. But how? For the present there is no understanding. Perhaps, it is a question not of regional, but federal level. There are still other processes, for example, connected with the electronic passport of the citizen, and this issue will be resolved at the federal level. Here's the thing: even if we such resolved an issue locally in the region, and federal rules will be accepted later, afterwards it will be heavy to us to integrate with Federation. Therefore so far we are engaged in the solution of local tasks, in particular, in the social sphere, in the field of work with citizens through MFC, via the regional portal of state services. We hope that we will soon meet with that work which is conducted at the federal level, maybe, not really public in some point for further development. Also we will watch then what to undertake further.

Sergey Maksimchuk: In our situation with the personnel there are good aspects. First, all Far Easterners are people with the increased patriotic feeling. They, with other things being equal, even if will offer terms better in Moscow, will not go there. Moscow too far, and besides they love that place where they were born. It is the first important point.

The second moment. When I worked in Alfa-Bank, we thought of the organization of Alf Laboratorija and decided to conduct a research among youth, understanding that younger generation should come to work to us. And so, the research showed that salary for them is on the third place among priorities when choosing work location. The first that now is important for youth, are those problems which they solve. So their specific work and as far as it is socially important is how interesting. On the second place – career perspectives. On the third place – salary. And on the fourth place – living conditions. In this plan at us too good news to our IT specialists because the digital economy sets very ambitious and socially important tasks for youth. And if they acquire certain experience, seriously will pump over themselves, will have opportunities of further career development.

We, of course, understand that money matters too. The digital laboratory about which I told is a state governmental agency. We could set rather high salaries there. And further, as we see on the example of other regions, such resource as own laboratory, gives the chance to receive significant economy of the state budget. We are able to consider this economy. And when we will see real economic effect, we will speak with the governor about need of further salary increase to those people who provide this result.

Sergey Maksimchuk: Examples are. In the Moscow region there is the same state organization. There more than 100 developers who support work and develop more than 80 IT systems. And this organization has an opportunity to compete in fight for the best specialists against all Moscow, the wage level of IT specialists there - absolutely market. At the same time they show mind-blowing economy of means. I cannot give specific numbers without the permission, but what to me was told by heads, sounds very impressively: impressive economy and impressive result.

In general, all digital transformation as I see on own experience, begins with people, their culture. We in this plan of a lot of things do. Of course, we help training. There are people who very much trust in force of changes, and really aim to do something in this respect on the place. We select such people, we support, we tell others about their progress. And those people who did not realize need of changes yet look at the colleagues and too begin to change. Such chain reaction slowly begins to work. Of course, it occurs not quickly. It is remembered when I in Alfa-Bank began to develop the direction on work with startups, almost whole year not all understood what occurs and why all this is necessary. And in a year realized not only bank, but also other market, and other financial institutions began to create the similar directions.

Transformation is always the turning point when everything is irreversible changes. And it is normal, you should not be frightened. It gives us chances to cope successfully with those tasks which are set to us by the state. And I am sure that everything at us will turn out.

Sergey Maksimchuk: It seems to me that this model quite working. Why? Because it already works in several regions. Such digital emissaries work for us in the Far Eastern Federal District at Sakhalin. The Deputy Prime Minister who is responsible for digit there imparted experience and said that it is the scheme – the worker, and we go by an example of colleagues from the Sakhalin region.

Sergey Maksimchuk: And you want to think up structure for the decades ahead at once? But same it is impossible! Why we will spend time for calculations now? And, today we even definitely do not know where we will come in 10 years. Even in a year the situation can significantly change. By the way, in it the main principle of work also consists in the Agile format. We understand that we need to go to that direction, and we have an opportunity to build work through digital emissaries. And, at present we do not have enough these people. But I understand what they should be. First of all, it is necessary that these people well understood what occurs in the industry. With digital competences I will help them, they will be trained, but the main thing is industry knowledge and experience. We will work with them in close contact: hold weekly planning meetings and distribute tasks. For me, at least, today, it is absolutely clear model of work. Especially as there are confirmations of its working capacity in other regions.

In general, advance on this model looks as follows. We work in such mode as I told above, some time, say, half a year. Let's face some problem and we will think how to solve it. It is not necessary now to try to solve all problems, a part from which can be invented, - can be, we will never face even it. And here when we will come to a specific point, a fork, then we will think how to change a situation or as to improve it.

You see, calculations can be built on very far perspective. It is traditional "waterfall" model of approach to projects. And Agile says to us: designate the purpose, begin the movement and be guided "on location" - change the agenda, in one way or another react to the happening changes. Naturally, it is not about all processes. Somewhere well planning works, and somewhere it is better to apply flexible approach.

Sergey Maksimchuk: I did not say that Agile is accomplishment of "ticks". In general what you called "ticks" it is ours the purposes, those which are accurately delivered. Agile for me is a set of the principles: how we work in the daily mode as we communicate among themselves to come to the purposes. I will explain on an example.

When I came to work to Administration of Primorsky Krai, I paid attention that at many projects - a great number of collaborators. I organize a meeting on the specific project, and all these collaborators begin to nod at each other: who of what is guilty why something is not executed, etc. And, all were imposed with pieces of paper which confirm: I made everything, it he is guilty. In other words, there is a blur and leaving from responsibility. What did we make? I just changed this scheme. Now at each project – one responsible. It is its problem that collaborators do not execute something. As I as the vice governor am responsible for all project in general, your task - in time to let me know problems if you at the level cannot cope with them. I am connected and I help to solve a problem, that's all. We even had not to change internal regulations. We just agree that now we work in a different way: we perceive responsibility not as a punishment measure and as an occasion to begin to think that it is necessary to make to achieve the objective. We think of responsibility not as about punishment and as an incentive for achievement of good result.

Of course, there were people who in response to such changes twisted a finger at a temple. And there are people who began to work with enthusiasm in this paradigm. And I select these people. Speak about their progress yours faithfully, report to the governor. It leads to gradual changes of culture of execution of works. People who begin to understand and separate our values get support. Absolutely desperate which essentially refuse to think differently gradually leave. And those who are in the middle change in our direction. I know that quickly such changes in psychology and culture do not happen. But we follow forward step by step, a victory a victory, we fight for each person.

Sergey Maksimchuk: At us there take place meetings at the governor where I tell about progress of colleagues. We, by the way, even began to hold planning meetings in a different way - we walk them now. Hung up a board, all tasks - on stickers. In the beginning it was unusual, the first month got used. And then understood that it is convenient. Then were involved in process. After a while Oleg Nikolaevich, our governor, came to look what occurs. Too was surprised, and then at a meeting recommended all our experience: you at meetings of people hold for two hours, and there here in 20 minutes, without sitting down, standing discussed all current issues and went to work. So slowly and other deputy governors begin to change the approaches to workflows.

Without changes in general nothing will turn out. If to follow all these official traditions, hardly we will cope with digital economy.

Sergey Maksimchuk: Yes, we were very lucky that we have universities and research institutes in the territory of Primorsky Krai, including DVFU. We densely work with them, including, in the direction of training for digital economy. Far Eastern Federal University besides is a point of special attention of the President of our country. There many companies develop the R&D the centers. We and very densely work with them, these are our partners. By the way, we develop the digital laboratory just based on DVFU because there are both students, and scientific community, many conferences, including, the international level are held there. At the beginning of October on the platform of a campus of DVFU two large actions took place at once: Far East digital forum and Russian MeetUp-2019.

We try to act jointly, to work as one command. Because, by and large, we have uniform tasks.

Sergey Maksimchuk: The Far East digital forum became "reset" of a conference which was held under the name "Dalyinfokom" under the auspices of Administration of Primorsky Krai earlier. It is B2G the platform on which representatives of the Far East government and business discussed digitalization subjects. Transformation of a conference took place successfully. We processed the program and tied it to the current directions of creation of digital economy in our federal district: IT security, smart city, IT infrastructure, etc. There arrived many interesting speakers, in that, number, from Moscow and from abroad. For the first time there were representatives of the international companies: IBM, SAP, Orange Business Services. There arrived representatives of the federal authority, colleagues from the federal district, big delegation from Yakutia - they carried out a startup expedition. One world known developer company of games arrived to the Russian MeetUp that, among other to study a possibility of creation in Vladivostok of "base" for the organization of work in the region of Southeast Asia.

"The Russian MeetUp-2019" is a youth action, organized DVFU, passed too very interestingly. There issues, relevant for youth, were discussed. We specially held these two forums at the same time and on one platform: the youth came on a digital forum, listened what it tells business and the state about. And we looked on them on section, watched what younger generation at us grows, discussed with them issues of the personnel for digital economy.

In the summer based on DVFU there passed the regional stage of the largest All-Russian tender "Digital Break". There hackathon tasks were also connected with digital economy. Participants developed prototypes of digital products for public administration, transport and logistics and also housing and public utilities and the urban environment. In a semi-final commands from the Far Eastern Federal District met. We after completion of a hackathon provided them mentor support: explained how the market what tasks the state has works. And they left to finish the solutions to a working prototype which we could approve. It is very effective mechanism. We are going to use within the Digital laboratory it on a regular basis. The laboratory is conceived as the open area – we will be able to tell everyone what we work on that we want to do next and to show that is already made. It will allow us to receive the fresh ideas, and we will interest some children in work at us.

Sergey Maksimchuk: Yes, of course. For example, we are going to use developments of IKI RAS in forestry of Primorsky Krai. I know that in our scientific community there are excellent developments which at all are not conceding to commercial. The problem of science is that scientists are not able to sell those IT solutions which they created. We are ready to consider developments of scientific centers and, in turn, to tell about our plans that they understood where we go.

We work with Scientific Research Institute avtomaticheskoy apparatury (Scientific Research Institute AA) of the academician V.S. Semenikhin in the different directions, in particular, on implementation of geographic information systems, creation of the Situational center of the Governor of the region. Also we work with them on a problem of creation of regional DPC. They have an extensive experience on creation of the state platforms. We handle an issue where we can begin to cooperate, and we will pass into implementation phase.

There is a lot of plans. Here only we do not manage to go in all directions at once. The forest industry itself showed an initiative - desire to go to digit, and work went. Unfortunately, so occurs not in all industries. After all still the big shadow economy remained, not all want to find digital transparency. But administrations of Primorsky Krai desire to move in this direction precisely are up to standard!