Digital Platforms as Drivers of the New Economy

This policy paper summarizes the discussions from the expert session “Digital Platforms as Drivers of the New Economy”, held in Moscow as part of the Open Dialogue initiative. 

Key Takeaways 

• A digital platform is a business model that facilitates the exchange of value between two or more user groups. Unlike conventional firms, which rely on resource control and economies of scale, platforms leverage network effects: the value of the ecosystem grows as its network expands.
• Platforms automate market institutions—the formal and informal "rules of the game". Increasingly, platforms determine how demand is formed, how resources are allocated, who gains access to goods and services, and how risks are assessed.
• Platformization is becoming ubiquitous. The architecture of transactions is changing in retail, finance, transport, tourism, food delivery, and the social sector. Many Global Majority countries have already developed successful local platforms adapted to the cultural and behavioral characteristics of their users.
• Governments are progressively leveraging the platform model to improve efficiency, particularly in the social sector. In healthcare, education, and social protection, government platforms may be built on principles distinct from purely market-driven ones. Their goal is not profit making but investment in the quality of life of citizens.
• The emergence and development of platforms require several key conditions: access to data, reliable digital infrastructure (computing power, high-speed Internet, cloud services), and sound public policy. The regulator's task is to strike a balance between stimulating innovation and protecting the rights of participants in the digital environment.

This document is based on expert discussions held within the framework of the Open Dialogue, as well as analytical data from international organizations and industry statistics.