NICOSIA, Cyprus, Oct. 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QIWI plc, (NASDAQ:QIWI) (MOEX:QIWI) ("QIWI" or the "Company") announced that Sergey Solonin, CEO of QIWI Group, was appointed as one of the leaders of FinNet working group (decentralized financial systems and currencies) created within the framework of the National Technology Initiative (NTI).

Sergey Solonin and Olga Skorobogatovа, Deputy Head of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, were appointed as heads of FinNet working group at a meeting of the presidium of the Presidential Council of the Russian Federation on economic modernization and innovative development of Russia held by the Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

FinNet working group is focused on the development of technologies of distributed storage and data processing.

In his position as one of the FinNet executives, Mr. Solonin will supervise activities on creation, development and implementation of advanced fintech projects and road maps for the Russian financial market.

About QIWI

QIWI is a leading provider of next generation payment services in Russia and the CIS. It has an integrated proprietary network that enables payment services across physical, online and mobile channels. It has deployed over 16.2 million virtual wallets, over 164,000 kiosks and terminals, and enabled merchants to accept over RUB 67 billion cash and electronic payments monthly from over 60 million consumers using its network at least once a month. QIWI's consumers can use cash, stored value and other electronic payment methods to order and pay for goods and services across physical or online environments interchangeably.

About NTI

National Technology Initiative declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 4, 2014 is a long-term comprehensive program aimed to create the conditions to ensure the leadership of the Russian companies in the new high-tech markets, that will determine the structure of the world economy in the next 15-20 years. Following areas are among the priorities of NTI: EnergyNet (distributed power from personal power to the smart grid, smart city); FoodNet (personal system of food and water production and delivery); SafeNet (new personal security systems); HealthNet (personalized medicine); AeroNet (distributed systems of unmanned aerial vehicles); MariNet (distributed systems of maritime transport without crew); AutoNet (distributed driverless automotive control network); FinNet (decentralized financial systems and currencies); NeuroNet (distributed artificial components for consciousness and psyche).

Contact				

Varvara Kiseleva
Investor Relations

+357.25028091
ir@qiwi.com

Sergey Solonin Appointed as Head of FinNet Working Group