ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to reorganize a research base in St. Petersburg into a national center for shipbuilding, TASS reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the measure to reorient the Krylov State Scientific Center toward shipbuilding would strengthen Russia's efforts to develop an innovative economy and develop a high-tech shipbuilding industry.
The center's key functions will include coordinating and conducting scientific research in shipbuilding and marine engineering and creating industrial prototypes.
The center will also work to consolidate the capabilities of leading research organizations to develop breakthrough technologies in the sector.
The restructuring comes amid expectations of strong growth in St. Petersburg's shipbuilding industry. Local analysts have forecast shipbuilding expansion of up to 30 percent as the city's major shipyard, Severnaya Verf, undergoes modernization. ■