Cisco to develop ICT master plan for Kazan Smart City project

The Republic of Tatarstan and Cisco have signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the development of an ICT master plan for the innovative Kazan Smart City, the capital of Tatarstan, one of the leading republics of the Russian Federation in the Volga Federal District.

The main purpose of the initiative is to build a smart, socially attractive modern city that will stimulate the economic development of the entire region. In planning the Kazan Smart City, special attention is paid to solutions raising the efficiency of city management and optimizing the deployment and delivery of new end-user services.

Cooperation between Cisco and the Development Corporation of the Republic of Tatarstan includes interaction in such areas as electronic government, education, health care (telemedicine) and commerce. Joint IT projects will be designed and implemented at universities and secondary professional schools of Tatarstan.

The parties also plan to implement a number of initiatives aimed at training skilled IT professionals and developing technological entrepreneurship through the Cisco Networking Academy and the Cisco Entrepreneur Institute. Cisco and the Development Corporation of the Republic of Tatarstan will also collaborate in research and development.

In general, the bilateral cooperation will be focused on developing IT industry in Tatarstan. With that purpose in mind the parties will discuss modernizing the information and telecommunications infrastructure of the projects pursued by the Development Corporation of the Republic of Tatarstan and elaborate joint programs with the use of advanced technological solutions.

In the framework of MoU, the companies will exchange experiences, offer each other methodological assistance and consultations, and carry out workshops focusing on the implementation and usage of international best practices in ICT.

Rustam Minnikhanov, president, Republic of Tatarstan said, "The Kazan Smart City project should become a showcase for the republic. In this large-scale project we intend to provide investors with everything that is required to pursue business in a comfortable way. Tatarstan is ready to continue active partnership with Cisco in the area of building intelligent infrastructure for such projects as Kazan Smart City and Innopolis."

Andy Macdonald, vice president, Cisco said, "When designing new cities, special attention is devoted to advanced solutions that would differentiate new cities from traditional ones. Today, smart technologies are embracing all industries, including health care, education, and tourism. They are becoming one of the key factors that make projects more attractive to international investors."