The Russian Ministry of Digital Development is examining a broad shift toward fully digital interactions with state institutions, with a target period beginning in 2025. This plan was outlined by Maksut Shadayev, the ministry’s head, during remarks at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The goal is to move away from paper and towards an all-electronic workflow for business dealings with public bodies. The announcement underscores a policy direction that would reshape how companies submit requests, licenses, and other formal communications to government agencies, reducing reliance on physical documents and in-person filings.
According to the minister, an initiative is under consideration to prohibit all non-electronic forms of commercial engagement with state-related structures as of a specified future date. This would mean that, beyond paper or manual submissions, only electronic submissions would be acceptable for interacting with government entities. The move aims to streamline processes, cut processing times, and enhance transparency in how business requests are handled at the federal and regional levels.
At present, the ministry notes that about one-fifth of its document flow is still paper-based, with these paper documents largely stemming from business representatives seeking services or approvals. The transition plan explicitly targets these paper-based communications, signaling a shift that would touch many sectors, from licensing procedures to regulatory filings and procurement requests.
Details on the precise measures required to implement the transition were not fully disclosed by the minister. The shift to comprehensive electronic document management would necessitate updates to relevant laws and regulations, as well as the expansion and modernization of digital infrastructure. A likely element of the plan is the creation of a unified digital intake portal — a single window through which entrepreneurs and other applicants could submit applications to various government agencies, track status, and receive formal responses. Such a platform would be designed to harmonize submission formats, reduce duplication, and foster interoperability across departments.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank has already taken steps to ease currency controls for exporting companies, signaling a broader government push toward greater digital and regulatory efficiency. The regulatory landscape for business remains under active adjustment, with authorities aiming to reduce friction while maintaining compliance, oversight, and financial stability. The recent monetary measures announced in mid-year, including shifts in key policy rates, reflect a coordinated approach to creating a more agile environment for business and investment, even as digital governance initiatives move forward.
Observers note that the planned transition would require careful sequencing to avoid disruption for firms during the early stages. Phased pilots, user training, and clear guidance on acceptable electronic formats are likely to be part of the rollout. The overarching objective appears to be a more predictable, auditable, and user-friendly interface between the private sector and public administration, where digital records replace paper trails and automated checks accelerate routine processes. In such a framework, data integrity, security, and privacy protections will be central concerns, guiding the design of authentication, access control, and data retention policies as the ecosystem evolves.