Russia to launch first MFC-style government services point abroad in Tashkent
In short
Russian citizens abroad will be able to receive Russian government services in a format similar to multifunctional centres (MFC), Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko said on Wednesday. The first such point is being prepared at the Russian House in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with a similar one planned for Kazakhstan in the coming months. The project is part of the “Support for Russian citizens abroad” initiative, involving several Russian agencies.
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Russian citizens living abroad will be able to receive Russian government services in a format analogous to multifunctional centres (MFC), Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko said on Wednesday. The first such project is being prepared for launch in Uzbekistan, on the basis of the Russian House in Tashkent, he said. A similar service point will appear in Kazakhstan in the coming months, his office added. The point in Uzbekistan is described as the first MFC analogue for Russians abroad. The announcement was made at the forum “Digital Solutions” in the national centre “Russia”. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
“Soon there will be an opportunity to receive Russian state services abroad in the MFC format. The first such project is being prepared for launch in Uzbekistan. In Tashkent, on the basis of the ‘Russian House’, our compatriots will have access to the most in-demand services, for example – to registration of SNILS or electronic signature,” Grigorenko said. [ 2 ]
The project is being implemented within the framework of the life situation “Support for Russian citizens abroad” with the participation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development, Rossotrudnichestvo, the state corporation Rostec, and the MFC of the Nizhny Novgorod region, the deputy prime minister’s office said. In the future, foreign citizens will also be able to receive services at these points, it added. The documents do not give an exact launch date for either the Tashkent or the Kazakhstan point. [ 2 ]
TASS reported that Uzbekistan would launch the first MFC analogue for Russians abroad and that another point would appear in Kazakhstan. RBC reported the announcement, citing TASS. Interfax provided additional details from Grigorenko’s remarks, including the services and implementing agencies. No cost or total number of planned service points beyond the first two countries was mentioned. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
According to the documents, the project is intended to give Russian citizens abroad access to services such as SNILS and electronic signature without returning to Russia. If later opened to foreign citizens, it could also serve as a consular-service model. The documents do not indicate how many people might benefit or when the service will become fully operational.
Key facts
- Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko announced on Wednesday that Russian citizens abroad will soon be able to receive government services in a format similar to multifunctional centres (MFC). [ 2 , 3 ]
- The first service point is being prepared in Uzbekistan, on the basis of the Russian House in Tashkent. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- A similar service point will appear in Kazakhstan in the coming months. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Services initially available will include registration of SNILS and electronic signature. [ 2 ]
- The project is being implemented within the framework of the life situation “Support for Russian citizens abroad” with the participation of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Development, Rossotrudnichestvo, the state corporation Rostec, and the MFC of the Nizhny Novgorod region. [ 2 ]
- In the future, foreign citizens may also be able to receive services at these points. [ 2 ]
- Grigorenko spoke at the forum “Digital Solutions” in the national centre “Russia”. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the service point will be located specifically at the Russian House in Tashkent. Only Interfax mentions the Russian House as the base; TASS and RBC do not specify the location within Tashkent.
- Which services besides SNILS and electronic signature will be offered. Only Interfax gives examples of services; the full list is not stated.
- The exact launch date. Documents say the project is being prepared and will appear “soon” or in the “coming months,” but no date is given.
- Which organizations are implementing the project and their roles. Only Interfax lists the participating agencies; other outlets do not provide details.