The Russian legislature is lagging behind the innovations that could have been implemented and yielded profit a long time ago, Siemens Complex Transport Solutions Director Dr. Rolf Epstein said in the course of a discussion on Russia’s megaprojects as the essential drivers of demand for innovations at the exhibition INNOPROM 2011 in Yekaterinburg.

‘The existing technical regulations, standards and orders must be modified as soon as possible,’ he pointed out; otherwise, he said, the introduction of innovations would come to a halt.

Plenipotentiary Representative of Russian Federation President in Ural Federal District Nikolai Vinnichenko, who took part in the discussion as well, feels that megaprojects could serve as the driving force behind the innovations launch.

‘Our officials need to understand that the country’s well-being already depends on their ability to act quickly on this issue,’ Vinnichenko added.