Russian gadgets lost in Central Asia

Security issues in the Central Asian states appeared to be interesting for Russian deputies. Today in the State Duma parliamentary hearings on this topic take place. Concern was raised due to oppression of Russian business in the territory of the former USSR. Experts believe that behind a fear of the spread of revolutions by the Internet hides the fight for an innovative market , which can lead to worsening relations between Russia and Western partners.

The deputy foreign minister of Russia, Grigory Karasin, admitted that security instability in the Central Asia countries is growing. He urged democratic reforms in these states.

Like North African and Middle East countries, where revolutions broke out, many in Central Asia live below the poverty line. But for labor migration to Russia, Central Asia would already have seen a social explosion.

On the one hand, to deal with the situation Russia has to invest a lot in these countries. However, Russian businessmen say their investments are not welcomed in Asia. For example, Russian mobile providers are pushed out of Asian market. In Turkmenistan the government revoked the cell-phone provider MTS's license. The reason is fear of distribution of revolutions by e-gadgets. However, it is hardly like people to write a textt message of the type “Hi! Let’s go on strike.” The Internet is almost undeveloped. It more looks like struggle against Russian business. If Russia doesn’t answer the discrimination, foreign investors will hardly give money for Russian innovative projects.

Alexei Vlasov, the head of the Centre of former Soviet Union studies at Moscow State University, said that at the parliamentary hearings the participants agreed on the necessity of Russian investors’ interest security. Every business project abroad should be supported by the state, he concluded.

Utro.ru