The Russian government wants to spend millions updating its own version of LinkedIn

The Russian government is set to invest millions in revamping its own version of business network LinkedIn.

The US-based network was blocked in Russia in 2016 after failing to comply with a law which requires internet companies to store data on Russian citizens in servers based within the country itself.

Russia’s Labour Ministry launched a strikingly similar social media site, Skillnet, last year, giving professionals the chance to create their own profile pages, leave reviews, and apply for jobs — usually vacancies within large state-owned corporations.

The website failed to capture the Russian market however, with journalists such as Anna Sokolova, editor of Moscow-based news site The Village, branding it “even more boring and incomprehensible than LinkedIn.”

The flop has lead officials to try and upgrade the portal. New plans released by the government have earmarked 360 million rubles ($5.3 million) for an image overhaul, Russia’s RBC news website reported on Monday.

As well as a redesign and a new mobile app, the updated site will continue to focus on opportunities for students and young people, including internships.