Import substitution as a factor in the development of domestic digital technology

According to global economic development trends, digital technology is a necessary factor in increasing competitiveness, labor productivity, reducing resource costs and optimizing business processes. In Russia, its development is one of the factors that drive the economy. As a result of the changing geopolitical situation, large foreign companies operating in the field ofdigitalization have begun to withdraw from the Russian market since 2022. This has brought to the fore the problem of import substitution (development of own digital and information technology) at the state and corporate level. Addressing the issue of import substitution will not only reduce imports, but also increase the production of high-tech goods and support domestic producers. In this regard, the aim of the study is to identify barriers to and opportunities for import substitution of digital technology in Russia. Based on the systematization and review of scientific works in the field of import substitution, we highlight approaches to its implementation. The article substantiates the need to implement the third approach in the context of Russian reality. We analyze the volume of high-tech exports of Russia as compared to other countries. We assess the high-tech export trajectory pursued by constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the context of commodity groups that promote digitalization. We highlight trends and problems of import substitution in the field of digitalization and investigate support measures and state policy aimed at import substitution in the field of digital technology and developments. As a result of the research, we have designed a toolkit to support the development of domestic digital technology based on import substitution. Using the toolkit helps to present the contribution of economic entities and its specifics in the field of information technology. Proposals have been prepared for the formation of an import substitution strategy in the field of digital technology, taking into account industry specifics. The results of the study can be applied by the state authorities of constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the field of digitalization.