The author analyzes the impact of digital transformation on public institutions in the context of improving the quality of life and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It seems increasingly clear that there is a need to intensify efforts to bridge the digital divide, improve the quality of data management and mitigate the risks associated with new technologies such as artificial intelligence. While the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use and highlighted the importance of information and communications technology, it has also revealed the need for an adequate balance between online and offline public service delivery. The author emphasizes that governments should allocate annual funding to facilitate the development of domestic information technological solutions and encourage the procurement and purchase of critical domestic solutions that could enhance their digital capabilities. Integrated technologies should become available as soon as possible, as it is difficult to overestimate their impact on structural changes in the economy, the creation of new industries and enterprises, as well as the development of breakthrough products and services.
Payment systems, as one of the areas of global financial digital transformation, have not been studied thoroughly and objectively. Some researchers believe that payment services make up a substantial share of all fintech projects. This is determined by the relative simplicity of payments as financial products [1]. First, fintech companies engaged in payments business are able to expand their customer base relatively fast and at low cost. Second, today’s technological development in payments enables constant introduction of new innovation-driven features and capabilities. Third, payments are financial services that are most popular with both legal entities and individuals. For instance, today cross-border payments are viewed as one of the key tools of sanctions pressure [2].
With these factors in mind, the objective of this article is to provide an overview of current trends and challenges in the development of the global payment industry.
Historically, relations between Russia and Pakistan have not always been easy. However, even during the years of greatest tension, Moscow and Islamabad attempted to cooperate in one form or another. Now the two countries are conducting a substantive dialogue in various fields, while trade and economic cooperation is one of the key areas of interaction between Moscow and Islamabad. In the current state of affairs, these relations have good prospects for future development, although they face a number of challenges. Thus, this article explores the bilateral trade and economic relations between Russia and Pakistan, aiming at analysing prospects for cooperation and identifying the existing problems for further development of Russia-Pakistan economic interaction.
Western pressure has necessitated Moscow to restructure its energy exports towards Asia. This development has revealed a weak point in its relations with Tehran: the two are in fact competing for consumers in a geographically restricted market. A superficial glance at the situation might indicate that Moscow is paradoxically strengthening its economic competitor but other factors may suggest otherwise. Russia is investing in Iran’s oil and gas sector in an attempt to decrease antagonistic potential in their bilateral relations driven by the competition for shared export markets. Furthermore, concerns that Europe may substitute Russia with Iranian energy exports have driven Moscow to pursue a hedging strategy. Moreover, the Kremlin considers Iran a suitable partner for swap deals. Last but not least, Tehran’s decades-long experience in circumventing sanctions proofs beneficial for Russia.
Over the past few years, the transport system of Moscow has undergone significant changes. The Government of Moscow is actively implementing unique and large-scale projects despite their complexity. The Moscow Transport has become one of the drivers of positive change in the capital of Russia. Its rapid development allows to improve the quality of life of Muscovites. It is based on the creation of affordable, comfortable and safe urban transport, without which no modern metropolis can develop. The Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport Maksim Liksutov spoke about the achievements in capital transport infrastructure and a little about his personal life.
