Opening the meeting, Mr Putin said that Russia is increasing financing for fundamental science, creating a competitive model of state support for leading education, scientific and research centres and modernising the innovation infrastructure, in particular the procurement system for applied research.
The President proposed that foreign companies take a closer look at the innovative sector in Russia and open centres to pursue promising research.
Mr Putin noted that the Russian economy is becoming increasingly integrated into the global economy, even though it is not yet a member of the World Trade Organisation. Russia remains committed to joining the WTO, but only on acceptable conditions, Mr Putin said.
Taking part in the meeting were 120 heads of major international companies from different countries.