“Our competitiveness depends on what we can offer to the global market,” President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov said at the official opening of IV International innovative nanotechnology forum «NANOTECH 2012».

The opening ceremony was held at the High Technology Technopark “IT-park”. Chairman of State Duma of the Federal Assembly Sergei Naryshkin and Board Chairman of OAO "ROSNANO" Anatoly Chubais participated in the event.

Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed the audience and said that major efforts were being taken in Tatarstan in the context of nanotechnological industry development. He also mentioned that the session of the Association of innovative regions of Russia would be held in Kazan.

Chairman of State Duma of the Federal Assembly Sergei Naryshkin said that though the notion “innovations” was rather popular, it had not become a natural driving force of the economy and a priority for private business and enterprises.

One of the reasons is insufficient protection of intellectual property. Besides, entrepreneurs face difficulties with gaining access to scientific developments.

According to Sergei Naryshkin, it is of great importance to make up certain legal tools for innovative activity and to favour commercialization of innovative projects.

Moreover, both large companies and small enterprises should feel state support, especially in regions.

Board Chairman of OAO "ROSNANO" Anatoly Chubais said that it was important to add the real applied component to the innovative development. He said that the Republic of Tatarstan was holding leading positions in the sphere of innovations.

IV International innovative nanotechnology forum is held on November 27-29.

Official opening of the Center of nanotechnologies and the exhibition of high-tech projects have taken place within the confines of the event.