UrBC, Yekaterinburg, February 15, 2019. Sverdlovsk Region Government and the Ural Bank for Reconstruction & Development (UBRD) agreed to work together on the National Digital Economy Program; the agreement to this effect was signed at Russian Investment Forum in Sochi on February 14, the bank’s press service reports.

Under the terms of the agreement, the bank will cooperate with Sverdlovsk Region’s authorities to develop and launch advanced technologies in production sector, social welfare sector, and urban development sector; for one, the UBRD will contribute to the creation of certain components of Smart City System. Both parties intend to support digital research and promote digital literacy among the locals, especially the younger generations.

President of the UBRD Anton Solovyev stressed the importance of investing in schoolchildren’s and college students’ financial literacy as well.

‘The bank has a team of digital market experts who have plenty of experience with both national and international digital projects. We are quite interested in taking on more talented young people with data analysis skills and cloud technology and machine learning expertise. This is why the UBRD is willing to support Sverdlovsk Region Government’s initiatives to train skilled cadre and inspire the locals’ to go for digital careers,’ Solovyev said.