Russia's Accession to the World Trade Organization

• Published in: Eurasian geography and economics Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. 479 - 501
• Main Authors: Connolly, Richard, Hanson, Philip
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01-07-2012; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Commitments; Economic impact; Economic policy; export duties; import tariffs; inward foreign direct investment; reform; Russia; Studies; subsidies; Tariffs; Trade liberalization; World Trade Organization; Russia
• ISSN: 1538-7216; 1938-2863
• DOI: 10.2747/1539-7216.53.4.479

Two noted British economists survey a range of issues linked to Russia's forthcoming accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its implications for the Russian economy. They describe the far-reaching commitments Russia has undertaken in the realm of tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and openness to inward investment, identifying factors that tend both to support and challenge realization of these commitments. They follow with a brief historical account of the reasons why the accession process for Russia was so protracted and an assessment of the likely medium- and long-term economic impacts of accession for the country as well as for its particular regions and social groups. The arguments suggest that the likely direct impacts of accession will overall be modest (at least over the near- to medium-term), and focused in spheres in which a foreign presence may enhance the productivity of Russian firms in the domestic market (e.g., business services). Potentially, more substantial indirect benefits will largely depend on the scale and seriousness of domestic reform policies launched in support of WTO compliance (i.e., effects of accession on Russia's political economy). Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: F130, F500, P330. 3 figures, 6 tables, 54 references.