Page 22 - bne_newspaper_September_21_2018

Weekly Lists
September 21, 2018 www.intellinews.com I Page 22
bne:TMT
Estimated cost of Russia's Digital Economy roadmap jumps 66%
The cost of the government's Digital Economy roadmap is now estimated at RUB2 trillion ($30bn), Vedomosti daily and Interfax reported on September 18 citing estimates Minister of Digital De- velopment and Mass Communications Konstantin Nosov made at a cabinet meeting.
Following the Kremlin's urge to prioritise the development of IT and other new technologies, the government started a special working group in 2017 that developed a list of initiatives to facilitate the roll- out of the Digital Economy programme. The initiative was further expanded in President Vladimir Putin's May Decree.
The cost of the programme has jumped 66%, as previously the roadmap was reportedly estimated by the finance ministry at RUB1.2 trillion, with the sources of the financing still loosely de- fined. According to Vedomosti, the roadmap now is seen costing RUB3.5 trillion.
Amazon.com Inc said on September 19 that it has launched activi- ties in Turkey.
The largest internet retailer in the world, which earlier this month became the second company in history, behind Apple Inc, to hit a market cap valuation of $1 trillion — roughly 5% of US GDP — add- ed that it was offering products to customers in Turkey across 15 categories.
“We are committed to building our business in Turkey in the com- ing months by expanding our selection and delivery options,” Sam Nicols, country manager for Amazon.com.tr said in a statement.
Central and Eastern Europe's largest startup centre was opened in Budapest's Millenaris Park with a HUF1.7bn (€5.2mn) investment as the first project in a HUF5bn programme on September 17. The facility, located in an inner Budapest district, offers startups 180 workstations, 24 offices and meeting rooms, two seminar rooms and a lecture hall.
Europe and Hungary face challenges in demographics, security, and competitiveness, Finance Minister Mihaly Varga said at the opening ceremony. Hungary’s growth may soon come to a halt with- out innovation-boosting businesses, he added. Swedish and Polish ventures have "signed up" for the new centre, which already has a 70% occupancy rate.
Amazon starts operations in Turkey as Erdogan meets US investors at palace
Startup campus opens in Budapest