"Information technology is Russia's next natural resource. It will be a key driver under a new paradigm of Russian economic development and modernization." Thus spake Leonid Reiman, Russia's Minister of Information Technologies and Communications, in shining some light on the Bear's strategy to further remove itself from its Soviet past.

"The program is an integral part of the government's strategy to shift Russia away from dependency on fuel exports toward a knowledge- and service- based economy," he added, during a speech in London at the 8th Annual Russian Economic Forum.

Reiman noted his country's "historic scientific and technical talent," and indeed, Russian science over the years has competed effectively with the West in everything from television to rocket science. Now the country seeks to become "a global leader in outsourcing and software exports," Reiman said.

The program, which Reiman stated was backed by President Vladimir Putin, encompasses the creation of free economic zones and a national network of technoparks, as well as an overhaul of the industry's legal and tax environment to boost further growth.

Reiman said he is also spearheading a revolutionary effort to turn Russia into "a full-fledged information society. The e-Russia initiative is aimed to provide equal access to information to all Russian citizens, enhance government transparency, eliminate the digital divide, and create a vibrant civil society in Russia," he said.

Reiman claimed that Russia represents "one of the world's fastest growing information technology industries...growing at 20-25% a year, outpacing every other sector of the Russian economy."

Russia has been largely forgotten in most recent outsourcing and IT development discussions, with China and India receiving more attention and foreign investment. A quick survey of SYS-CON Media online readership indicates, however, that the number of Russian visitors is comparable to the number from India or China, with visitors from former Eastern Bloc adding almost a full magnitude to that number. The interest is clearly there.