The government-owned Far Eastern Fund for High Technologies (FEFHT) has invested $2.7m in Digital Primorye, a local company developing smart city systems in Primorye, a Russian region that borders North Korea and China, Firrma.ru reported.

The investee has reportedly undertaken to launch an array of digital services and high tech systems in such sectors as transport, public utilities, education, health care, and some others. More than 30 such services are expected to start operation by April 2022.

Digital Primorye has long-term plans to introduce an integrated digital portal and unified cards for each Primorye resident which would digitize the providing of all government services and social benefits, as well as payments for public utilities and transportation, and would also facilitate local residents’ access to municipal decision-making.

In the bigger regional cities, including Vladivostok, Nakhodka, Artyom and Ussuriisk, new municipal infrastructure is expected to appear, such as heated public transportation stops, smart traffic lights and street lighting, and more. Over the next 12 years FEFHT, private investors and banks want to invest an estimated $67m in the effort.