Regarding the statement by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, which alleges that funds allocated for the creation of the Innovation Center "Skolkovo" were misused, the "Skolkovo" Foundation finds it necessary to demonstrate its official position:
From the first days after the "Skolkovo" Foundation was created, The Foundation has made efficient use and liquidity management of its assets a priority.
Also, the financing the Skolkovo Foundation received in 2010, was in accordance with an agreement between the Foundation and the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation from 30.07.2010 pursuant to RF Government Decree № 565 of 26.07.2010. This agreement then led to the federal government transferring subsidies to the Foundation’s account in Metcombank.
It is important to note that upon reception of the funds, allocated from the federal budget in the form of a grant to the Foundation, they cease being federal funds and become the possession of the Foundation as according to the Budget Code. In this case, all funds received through the agreement from 07/30/2010 were spent in accordance with the goals and objectives of the Foundation.
Moreover, in regards to the temporary deposit of the Skolkovo Foundation’s funds into savings accounts at OAO "Metcombank" from 5 August to 30 December 2010, these funds received additional unplanned revenues of $79.52 million rubles and were subsequently spent on the Foundation’s activities.
It should also be noted that the OAO "Metcombank" was the only commercial bank willing to accept the Foundation’s liquid assets in a bank account with the ability to immediately withdraw them without receiving a fine and with interest at a rate higher than the market average. Thus, with the average interest rate at the time of contract (5 August 2010) being 3.8% per annum (for deposits for 3 months) and 4.3% (for deposits for 6 months), the "Skolkovo" Foundation opened a bank account with AOA " Metcombank” for a period of 147 days (less than 5 months) for a total of $3.5 billion at the average rate of 5.65% and with the right to demand the return of the deposit with only a 5 day notification without penalty.
The Foundation wishes to stress that its main account is in OAO "Metcombank" is a well-known fact. And that this credit institution consistently ranks among the top 100 Russian commercial banks, and possesses a high credit ratings as judged by international credit rating agencies ("AA-" established by the National Rating Agency).
In regard to the Investigative Committee’s announcement about allocated funds in the form of a 400 million ruble grant to a non-member organization of the "Skolkovo" project: apparently, this is referring to funds used to found that we Skolech, one of the "cornerstones" of the future Innovation Center. In regard to Article 15 of the Federal Law "On Science and Federal Science and Technology Policy", "...financial support of scientific, technical, and innovative activities, which is carried out by state and/or non-state funds, can be implemented through grants transferred to workers in research and science, other individuals, as well as scientific organizations, institutions of higher education, and other legal entities."
The "Skolkovo" Foundation emphasizes that its policy requires maximum transparency, openness and willingness to collaborate with the official authorities of the Russian Federation, including - the Investigative Committee during its verification activities.