API provides interaction between different departments of the company or access to third-party programs and data.

Without using API technology, information from one software is entered into another software manually. API, acting as an intermediary, connects two different programs, ensures the speed and simplicity of information processing, and reduces the influence of the human factor on the result of work.

Using API

API technology is widely used in telecom companies, it is increasingly being used in accounting, banking, trade, medicine, services, underwriting, risk management and other areas where speed and ease of working with data are important.

Risk managers get access to complete and reliable information about clients and use it to create the most accurate scoring model. Modern high-tech solutions for making forecasts are becoming available to underwriters. At the same time, the probability of error is minimized and the speed of work increases.

Most companies use API to improve the efficiency of work within the organization or to collect various data from external sources.

API development prospects

A total of 1,634.9 billion RUB is being invested in the national project "Digital Economy", implemented in Russia from 2019 to 2024. At the same time, API capabilities will be used for communication between services and companies.

The use of application programming interfaces significantly reduces the time for collecting and processing information, increasing the overall efficiency of companies. Using external services, it is possible to reduce the cost of developing owned software products.

Draft law on simplification of registration in the FEZ

Free economic zone (FEZ) is a territory with an economic status within which there are favorable conditions for doing business. Companies registered in FEZ receive various subsidies and benefits from the state.

The activities of free economic zones in Russia are regulated by the Federal Law No. 116-FZ, adopted in 2005. In February 2022, the Government supported the bill developed by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development. Draft Law No. 67170-8 contains amendments to the Federal Law No. 116-FZ.

The main provisions of the new bill are as follows:

• The procedure of obtaining the status of a FEZ resident will be simplified. Only an investment project will be required to register a company in the FEZ. The term of registration of a resident will be reduced to 15 working days.
• A new category of FEZ: industrial and technological zones. It unites industrial-production and technology-innovative zones.
• A simplified procedure for creating a free economic zone in the North Caucasus Federal District.
• A new form of document: Agreement on creation and management of the FEZ. It should define the boundaries of the zone, a long-term development plan, obligations to finance infrastructure, the powers of the managing parties.
• Information about vacant land plots and the availability of infrastructure facilities will have to be publicly available.
• The resident gets the right to buy the leased area at a low price terms of the agreement are fulfilled. The resident is obliged to make a certain amount of investment in the FEZ to repurchase the plot.
• Enlargement of the FEZ is allowed only after 50% of infrastructural capacities are loaded or 50% of the territory is built.
• The liquidation of the FEZ is possible if it is not profitable for 5 consecutive years. KPI evaluation starts 2 years after registration.

Active FEZ in Russia
As of February 2022, 42 free economic zones are registered in Russia. They are divided into 4 categories:

• Industrial and manufacturing: 23 zones;
• Tourist and recreational: 10 zones;
• Technical and innovative: 7 zones;
• Port: 2 zones.

More than 1,000 legal entities operate as FEZ residents, among which 140 organizations are engaged in the attraction of foreign capital from 42 states. 48 000 jobs have been created in the FEZ territories.
The amount of declared investments in the FEZ in the Russian Federation exceeded 1,43 trillion RUB. The amount of investments made exceeded 632,2 billion RUB. Residents have paid more than 229,7 billion RUB in taxes, insurance premiums and customs payments over 17 years.

Advantages and disadvantages of registration in the FEZ
Registration as a FEZ resident gives entrepreneurs many privileges:

• state subsidies;
• reduced taxes, fees and duties;
• low prices for property rentals;
• use of modern business infrastructure;
• the right to buy land at a reduced price;
• the opportunity to participate in the concessional lending program;
• some FEZs have a procedure of free customs zone.

It is most beneficial for IT companies to work as a FEZ resident. There are minimum rates for taxes and contributions for this segment.

To obtain the status of a resident, a large initial investment is required. To enter some zones, it is required to invest 120 million RUB. At the same time, the entrepreneur must put into circulation the first 40 million RUB within 3 years after registration.

The downside of registering is limiting business expansion opportunities. Companies that have the status of a resident cannot open branches outside the FEZ.