Residents of the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre of St Petersburg University are set to create over 7,400 new jobs
Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin has signed a resolution to establish the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre, as proposed by St Petersburg University. The resolution, prepared by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, outlines the Centre’s territory, the guidelines for the tenants, and the Centre’s key focus areas. St Petersburg University has been designated as the founding institution for the Neva Delta Centre.
The key focus areas include: ecology; human life safety; and green agro- and biotechnologies. The Neva Delta Centre will also prioritise the creation of innovative systems based on new structural and technological principles: pharmaceutical products; equipment and materials for Arctic conditions; autonomous power sources; and platforms for analysing, modelling, designing, and monitoring complex systems, as well as development of advanced technologies for the oil and gas industry.
More than 40 companies have expressed interest in operating within the Neva Delta Centre. Major business leaders have also expressed their intent to invest in the Centre’s infrastructure development. Thus, within the framework of the project, it is planned to build laboratory buildings; pilot-line production facilities; computer centres; and certification and logistics hubs; along with engineering and transport infrastructure.
By 2038, the implementation of the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre project is expected to generate over 7,400 new highly-skilled jobs.
"The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation is working towards the goal set by President Vladimir Putin to achieve Russia’s technological sovereignty and leadership. The plan involves advancing cutting-edge scientific and technological fields through innovation centres. There are ongoing efforts to establish and operate these centres. In the near future, many additional opportunities will be available. State companies will be able to implement independent projects aimed at building laboratories, test sites, and other research infrastructure at the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre. Regional authorities will have the chance to participate and contribute financially to new science and technology centres," commented Maxim Kolesnikov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
The Ministry of Economic Development drafted amendments to federal law, which were approved by State Duma deputies in the first reading at the end of September. The changes aim to further stimulate the development of technological valleys and yield practically significant results.
Maxim Kolesnikov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, described the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre of St Petersburg University as an ecosystem tailored for the successful implementation and commercialisation of Russian research developments.
St Petersburg University regularly produces world-class scientific breakthroughs, with applications in industry, ecology, medicine, and other priority sectors of the national economy. Our current goal is to accelerate and streamline this process, contributing to the economic development of both our region and the Russian Federation.
Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University
"To date, agreements on the Neva Delta project implementation have been signed with the governments of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, St Petersburg State Marine Technical University, and major businesses, including partners of St Petersburg University: Gazprombank; Gazprom Neft; VTB Bank; Kaspersky Lab; AFK Sistema; Alrosa; and United Shipbuilding Corporation; and others. In accordance with federal law, project participants will receive tax incentives as a support measure. Thus, through the joint efforts of state authorities and the University’s partners, favourable conditions will be created for top scientific research aimed to address pressing national challenges," said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University.
The Neva Delta project is being implemented alongside the project on the Area of St Petersburg University Development. The latter aims to create an area with modern educational and research infrastructure, located near a high-speed railway and motorway. One of the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre’s sites, as decreed by the Russian government, will be in the Pushkinsky District of St Petersburg (100 hectares), on the border between St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, in the immediate vicinity of the St Petersburg University Development Area facilities.
The territory of the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre in the Pushkinsky District is adjacent to the Moskovskoe Shosse (M10 highway) and Iam Izhorskoe Shosse, the entrance to the Neva motorway (M11 highway). The planned infrastructure developments in the nearby territory include: extending Kolpinskoe Shosse; constructing a high-speed tram line "Kupchino — Shushary — Slavyanka"; and building a passenger railway station of the Moscow — St Petersburg high-speed railway. Work is also underway to expedite the construction of an underground line with stops at the Neva Delta Centre and the Area of St Petersburg University Development (campus).
By 1 January 2025, the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre at St Petersburg University will expand to include territories of St Petersburg State Marine Technical University in the Vyborgsky District of the Leningrad Region and an industrial site in the Tosnensky District of the Leningrad Region.