Microsoft to set up Electronic Municipality in Kazan

The Microsoft corporation will set up an electronic governance system called Electronic Municipality in Kazan, the city’s mayor Ilsur Metshin told it a staff meeting on Monday, adding that a related agreement had been signed the week before.

According to the mayor, Microsoft had selected Kazan within a closed tender for launching an Electronic Municipality pilot project. About ten Russian companies participated in the competition.

Mr Metshin went on to say that Microsoft was to earmark a grant of $1 million for Kazan, and would provide discounts of 30 to 50 percent on its software products. As a result, Kazan should obtain an electronic municipal governance system, allowing Microsoft to demonstrate its possibilities to other Russian cities.

Besides, said the mayor, Microsoft expressed willingness in sponsoring the Universiade 2013 sporting event, to be hosted by Kazan.