Recent disclosures from the Strategic Initiatives Agency indicate that the share of creative industries in Russia’s economy could climb to about six percent of GDP by 2030, a projection aimed at boosting both cultural output and sustainable development. The agency frames this shift as a lever for technological diversification, export growth, and regional employment opportunities, signaling a deliberate move to pair cultural production with broader industrial policy. As of now, the sector contributes roughly 3.5 percent of GDP, underscoring a meaningful growth gap that policymakers intend to close through a coordinated set of measures. The plan envisions crafting roadmaps for 16 sectors within the creative economy in collaboration with industry experts, researchers, and regional stakeholders, with progress monitored through 2030. These roadmaps are designed to identify investment needs, workforce skills, regulatory reforms, and avenues for international collaboration that could open new markets beyond Russia, including potential engagement with partners in North America. The overarching goal is to turn creative work into measurable economic value while strengthening the resilience of local economies. (ASI, 2025)
The initiative outlines a clear target and a practical path: a structured program that pairs strategic planning with on-the-ground execution. The roadmaps will lay out concrete steps for financing, talent development, infrastructure improvement, and policy alignment across federal, regional, and municipal levels. By translating artistic and digital productivity into scalable industries, the plan aspires to broaden Russia’s economic base while fostering crossing-market opportunities for foreign investors and partners seeking cultural content, technology, and innovative design. This approach also reflects a broader trend of aligning culture with commerce to improve export potential and competitiveness in a global marketplace. (ASI, 2025)
Ekaterina Cherkes-zade, who heads the ASI Center for the Development of the Creative Economy, noted that many creative sector firms currently cluster in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, yet there are advantages to expanding activity into other regions. She explained that regional hubs can become viable bases for registration and operations when infrastructure, incentives, and business environment policies are tailored to local strengths. In practice, it may be more advantageous for some companies to register outside the two largest metropolitan areas, given targeted regional programs and the distribution of support measures designed to stimulate growth, research, and international collaboration. This regional dynamic is viewed as essential for balancing national development with localized innovation ecosystems. (ASI, 2025)
Occasionally, firms that are not located in Moscow or Saint Petersburg may opt to register in other cities because government incentives, improved infrastructure, and economic stimulus are increasingly targeted at those regions. Cherkes-zade emphasized that such regional focus is expected to unlock opportunities for the development of creative companies by streamlining regulatory processes, reducing operational costs, and enabling closer cooperation with local universities and tech clusters. The shift toward multi-regional growth aims to diffuse creative entrepreneurship across the country, promote export readiness, and cultivate talent pipelines that can feed both domestic markets and international demand. The idea is that geography should not confine imagination and that strategic placement can amplify impact. (ASI, 2025)
In parallel with these plans, ASI intends to roll out a broad package of measures to accelerate growth in the creative economy. Policy instruments include tax incentives designed to ease the burden on startups and small firms, grant programs to fund early-stage projects, and workforce training initiatives to raise coding, design, animation, and production capabilities. Additional support is expected through advisory services, mentorship networks, and access to equipment and facilities that enable faster experimentation and commercialization. The objective is to create a more agile, export-ready creative sector that can compete on quality, innovation, and storytelling while supporting regional development. (ASI, 2025)
Earlier assessments highlighted that corporate leaders in Russia were not yet fully integrating artificial intelligence tools into their operations. Analysts note that AI adoption, including neural networks, remains uneven across industries, and the creative sector can benefit from pilot programs that demonstrate practical value in content creation, audience analysis, and process optimization. The policy framework seeks to demystify AI adoption, provide practical pilots, and connect creative firms with technical experts who can help scale data-driven approaches while safeguarding intellectual property and local capacity. These efforts align with broader digitalization goals and reflect the administration’s intent to harmonize technology with culture for enduring competitiveness. (ASI, 2025)
On the international front, the European Union has confirmed a new sanctions regime affecting Russia, a development that policymakers say will shape cross-border collaboration and the transfer of technology and expertise. While sanctions add complexity, they also underscore the need for resilient supply chains, diversified markets, and clear guidelines for engagement with global partners in North America and beyond. Business observers emphasize the importance of transparent compliance frameworks, risk management, and proactive outreach to potential allies in the creative and tech sectors. The evolving sanctions landscape is viewed as a factor that will influence strategy, requiring adaptive planning and careful stakeholder coordination to sustain growth in the creative economy. (EU policy updates, 2025)