The article considers the issue of innovative development of Russia and Belarus in the framework
of formation of the Union State. The aim of the article is to analyze the current state and prospects
for innovative development of the two countries as relevant preconditions of strengthening
integration processes between them. To do this, the author performed an analysis of the basic
trends of development of innovative economy in Russia and Belarus at the national level. The
analysis was conducted in two stages: assessment of innovative development on the basis of the
data of international experts; analysis of statistical data (Rosstat and Belstat) over the period
of 2000–2014. According to the analysis it is established that there is a fundamental similarity
between the Russian and Belarusian national innovation systems. In both countries, long-term
negative trends remain in force: outflows of workers employed in research and development;
insufficient share of GDP in the value added of high-tech industries; negative trading balance
in innovative products sector, etc. Summarizing the trends of development of scientific potential
of Belarus and Russia, we can conclude that at the moment they do not form conditions for the
qualitative reduction of their lagging behind the level of development of innovative sphere in the
leading countries. This results in a low competitiveness of Belarusian and Russian goods on world
markets, which influences the dynamics of foreign trade. There is, however, a marked specificity
in the development of the countries under consideration, so we can expect a synergistic effect of
building a complementary system of cooperation based on the use of absolute and comparative
advantage. It is shown that it is important to develop certain tools to intensify scientific and
technological cooperation, including the formation of the market of scientific-technological and
innovative products in the framework of the Union State. The article provides evidence of the
lack of development of the Russian-Belarusian market of scientific-technological products, and
the factors constraining its development. The idea is substantiated that in order to enhance the
functioning of the market of scientific-technological products of the Republic of Belarus and
Russia it is necessary to implement direct and indirect methods to stimulate the creation and
commercialization of research products; to organize the management of intellectual property at
the macro and micro levels. The view on the problem of innovative development presented in the
paper can be useful in the development of policy documents, in the planning of strategic directions
of development of the Union State; it can also be interesting to experts in the field of innovation
management
Keywords
innovative development, innovation, scientific and technological potential, international scientific and technological cooperation, union state of russia and belarus, innovation system