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We need each other
Entering international commercial and monetary organizations, receiving their credits and help will not, certainly, give the expected results if it is not backed up by firm action in the field of economic reforms, stabilization and the development of industry using the capabilities and means of the state and the people themselves. The critical role in this process belongs, no doubt, to the commercial and economic connections between the former Union republics. A lot will, certainly, be said about them at the St.Petersburg economic forum. We need each other - this is how I’d like to define the vital necessity of the development of the economic integration for CIS states. Not one of them has now or ever had in the past a complete production cycle for any more or less important kind of production within its newly independent territory. How could the plants and factories restore their full production capacity if the suppliers of materials or markets for their products are beyond the state and customs borders with their financial and administrative barriers? On joining the new economic links of the world, it will be possible to substitute the suppliers of materials and components but developed countries tend to turn the new states into markets for their production and the only thing they buy is cheap raw material. If you want proof of that just come into any supermarket or department store in any CIS state. Home produced goods will only be competitive on the internal market within the limits of the former Soviet Union and only if protectionist measures are taken, the economic structure is reorganised and a common market of goods and services is formed based on new principles. A natural way to avoid this situation that should, no doubt, be discussed at the St.Petersburg economic forum, is to reanimate the most efficient economic links on the basis of new market relations by means of expanding economic integration, complementary economies of our countries in the CIS, the development of specialization and intergovernment cooperation and creation of advantageous conditions for the transfer of services and goods of economic subjects regardless of their owner and the state of registration. Economic borders between CIS states are the prime obstacle for restoring traditional economic links. Customs tariffs and excises, taxes of various kinds, administrative restraints in terms of prohibitions, quotas and licenses raise the cost of production. Non-payments, barter and the criminalisation of commercial operations are worsening the situation. The absence of coordinated economic policy prevents us from intensifying the industrial and financial integration of CIS states. Discussions and meetings at the St.Petersburg forum in Tavrichesky palace must assist us in finding answers to the questions: what to begin with? what stages and solutions are to be taken? what goals are to be aimed at? The objective of all that is to lead CIS states through the economic interaction into the common market of goods, services, capital and labor. And to create for them equal opportunities of enterprise, purchase of property, investment, and any other kinds of financial activity in that market. So that the investment space which belongs to all CIS states would help to solve the problems of financial stabilization quickly and establish a reliable financial and credit system in these countries.
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