Microsoft to invest ten billion rubles into the Russian Economy over the next three years

Moscow, April 21, 2009

Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation visited Moscow, Russia, this week. During a press conference, he announced that Microsoft will deliver a three year, ten billion rubles investment plan (approximately $300 million) for Russia. This investment will deliver short-term anti-crisis programs and develop longer term Microsoft projects in Russia. This will further enhance the cooperative partnership with the Russian Government on projects in the social and scientific fields as well as help expand the Russian IT industry.

Ballmer acknowledged the remedial actions taken by the Russian Government in the context of the global economic downturn, and emphasized the importance of developing the IT industry as a basis for continuing to shape the innovative economy.

“Technology innovation is an important driver of long-term economic growth. We applaud the vision that Russia’s leaders have shown during the current economic downturn as they have made historic structural reforms that will speed the transition to a national economy based on innovation,” said Steve Ballmer. “Because Russia is such a strategically important market for Microsoft, we are fully committed to contributing in ways that will help create sustainable economic growth in Russia.”

Steve Ballmer has announced that Microsoft has also planned to launch programs on teaching basic computer skills and intensive training programs for IT students and graduates in Russia, in cooperation with the Russian Government, which will run from 2009 to 2012 in line with the investment plan.

Through this initiative, up to 300,000 people will get an opportunity to improve their IT skills by attending courses at the Microsoft training centers. This will give them a competitive advantage on the skills market and a better chance of employment opportunities during the economic downturn. There are 60 training centers in 43 Russian regions already, and Microsoft has plans to launch more in each region to increase the number of centers to 100.

Students taking these intensive training programs, which are available at more than 200 universities where Microsoft IT Academies are located, will benefit from the opportunity to obtain additional IT skills. After they graduate, they will be more highly-skilled and prepared for employment and professional career growth.

Microsoft’s investment plan will also support Russian innovative start-ups. Steve Ballmer announced that more than 1,000 Russian companies will get a range of Microsoft products for free including infrastructure solutions and software applications for up to ten users. Participants of the project will be selected by the Foundation for Assistance of the Development of Small Enterprises.

Talking about the long-term programs, Steve Ballmer has emphasized that Microsoft views education as one of the most important fields for investment. Consequently, Microsoft will continue developing its Innovation Centers based on the Russian leading technical universities. There are now ten Microsoft Innovation Centers across the country, five of which just opened in the last six months.

Steve Ballmer also announced that the Microsoft DreamSpark Program will be extended to include high schools. This means free access to the best Microsoft innovative solutions for developers and designers will be available not only to university students but also to Russian high school children.

Finally, Ballmer underlined the importance of Russian partners for both Microsoft’s business growth and the development of IT market in Russia. One of the largest joint projects to be undertaken is the opening of the Microsoft Technology Center in Moscow – the first one in the Eastern Europe. The mission of the Center is the creation and promotion of the newest IT solutions for Russian companies. More than 1,000 square meters (10,000 square feet) in size, the Center will be equipped with the latest technologies to enable customers to evaluate the products and solutions created by Microsoft partners based on Microsoft products.

Microsoft is actively involved in developing of its partnership with Russian science in the field of R&D. A strategic agreement on the creation of the joint research center between the Space Research Institute (IKI) and Microsoft Research was signed at the press conference.

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