Boris Slavin – Head of Center for IT expertise of The Union of CIOs of Russia, IT Company.
Address: 19, build. 6, Leninskaya Sloboda str., Moscow, 115280, Russian Federation. 
E-mail: bbslavin@gmail.com

Yamalov Ildar – Head of Agency for Information Technologies of the Republic of Bashkortostan.
Address: 45, Kirova str., Ufa, 450000, Russian Federation.  
E-mail:  yamalov.i@minsvyazrb.ru

The paper considers the results of research and modeling of information technologies (IT) industry growth in the Russian region (Republic of Bashkortostan is taken as an example) stimulated by additional investments in e-learning. Since e-learning requires the development of e-content, investments in education are becoming investments in the business that creates electronic resources. The paper provides an approach to enhance the development of the IT industry on the basis of the investment model of the region’s development.

When designing the model, the paper considers three investment sources: 1) investments in the program of citizens and employees e-education, which when implemented will encourage business and educational institutions to extend their services; 2) investments in the IT industry support funds, which are designed to attract foreign investments in the IT industry; 3) investments in the infrastructure and media projects, which provide benefits to IT companies whose developers are living in the region. The model suggests the principle of co-financing from business and government. On the whole these investments were equal, while when comparing the three sources, in certain cases either the public or the private investments were more significant.

The principle of co-financing involves more than just investment equality, it involves the measures taken by the government to encourage private investment, too. This factor leads to the fact that all investment sources are connected. Investing in the long-term e-learning program contributes to growth of IT industry. Public-and-private investment funds reduce the risk that, upon completion of support program for IT industry, its development will subside. Support for infrastructure projects, media and research activities in the field of information technologies allows the money to be kept in the region. The model shows that investments in e-learning form the infrastructure typical for SMART-region.