(Washington Post – Will Englund)
Corruption in Russia has grown even more blatant over the past year, according to a report issued Tuesday by Transparency International, and the country has fallen from 146th place to 154th on the organization's Corruption Perceptions Index. Russia tied with Tajikistan, Papua New Guinea and several African countries, and was ranked most corrupt among the G-20 nations.
For the first time since Transparency International began issuing its annual list 15 years ago, the United States dropped out of the top 20 least-corrupt nations, because of financial scandals it has endured. The United States fell from 19th place to 22nd, behind Chile. [Canada is 6th from top]
Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore topped the list as least corrupt, and Somalia was at the bottom, just below Afghanistan and Burma. Read more here.
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Russia Resolves Key Issues with U.S. over WTO Accession
(Bridges Weekly)
Russia and the United States have reached bilateral resolutions on several trade issues, removing another set of hurdles facing the entry to the WTO of the world’s largest economy that is not already a member of the global trade body.
On October 1, Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin announced in Yalta that Russia had resolved its bilateral negotiations with the US over WTO accession, and would now move to conclude its multilateral negotiations in Geneva. US Trade Representative Ron Kirk welcomed “bilateral agreement on key issues related to the accession process,” adding that Moscow would now be free to devote more attention to remaining barriers at the multilateral level.
According to a statement from Kirk’s office, Washington and Moscow have reached agreements in principle on issues such as intellectual property rights, government procurement, and transparency in the decision-making process on trade-related issues. The bilaterally-agreed solutions reflect what the US would like to see in Russia’s eventual WTO commitments; the compromises will now be considered by other countries in the WTO Working Party on Russia’s accession. Read more here.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Canada Asks Moscow to Drop Trade Barriers
(Moscow Times)
Canada urged Russia and other G20 countries on Friday to unwind trade barriers erected during the financial crisis as part of a G20 pledge favoring free trade to support the global economic recovery.
Trade Minister Peter Van Loan said in an interview that leaders from the Group of 20 emerging and advanced economies meeting in Toronto should be held accountable for their promise not to adopt protectionist measures, endorsed at the Pittsburgh summit in September.
“So I hope there will be a commitment by countries that are appearing here who have instituted protectionist measures, such as Russia with their tariffs, to actually roll them back and adhere to those commitments,” Van Loan said.
When asked about measures taken by others, such as the European Union or the United States, Van Loan said it was more difficult to take countries to task over non-tariff trade obstacles. Read more here.
Canada urged Russia and other G20 countries on Friday to unwind trade barriers erected during the financial crisis as part of a G20 pledge favoring free trade to support the global economic recovery.
Trade Minister Peter Van Loan said in an interview that leaders from the Group of 20 emerging and advanced economies meeting in Toronto should be held accountable for their promise not to adopt protectionist measures, endorsed at the Pittsburgh summit in September.
“So I hope there will be a commitment by countries that are appearing here who have instituted protectionist measures, such as Russia with their tariffs, to actually roll them back and adhere to those commitments,” Van Loan said.
When asked about measures taken by others, such as the European Union or the United States, Van Loan said it was more difficult to take countries to task over non-tariff trade obstacles. Read more here.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Canada and Russia Seek to Strengthen Trade Ties
(Minister of International Trade)
The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture, met with Viktor Alekseyevich Zubkov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, today [Wednesday] in Ottawa to discuss deepening the commercial relationship between Canada and Russia.
“Our countries have seen increasing trade, investment and cooperation in science and technology and in agriculture,” said Minister Van Loan. “As a leading economy, Canada offers first-rate business conditions: the lowest taxes on new business investment in the G7, the fastest economic growth in the G7 for 2010, 2011 and 2012, the world’s soundest banking system and a high quality of life.”
“Russia’s growth in agricultural trade is creating tremendous opportunities for our farmers,” said Minister Ritz. “Just as my last mission to Moscow in October led to a number of important wins both for Canadian producers and their Russian partners, meetings like today’s continue to help us strengthen our cooperation.”
Russia is an emerging market and remains a destination for Canadian companies specializing in technology, agriculture and infrastructure. The value of the stock of Canadian foreign direct investment in Russia was approximately $725 million at the end of 2009.
In 1993, Canada and Russia created the Canada-Russia Intergovernmental Economic Commission (IEC) to promote economic relations between the two countries. The commission holds regular meetings to address issues affecting bilateral trade, highlight success stories and encourage business development. Minister Van Loan and First Deputy Prime Minister Zubkov co-chair the commission.
The last full session of the Canada-Russia IEC took place in Moscow in June 2009. The next session is scheduled to take place in Canada in 2011.
The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of International Trade, and the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture, met with Viktor Alekseyevich Zubkov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, today [Wednesday] in Ottawa to discuss deepening the commercial relationship between Canada and Russia.
“Our countries have seen increasing trade, investment and cooperation in science and technology and in agriculture,” said Minister Van Loan. “As a leading economy, Canada offers first-rate business conditions: the lowest taxes on new business investment in the G7, the fastest economic growth in the G7 for 2010, 2011 and 2012, the world’s soundest banking system and a high quality of life.”
“Russia’s growth in agricultural trade is creating tremendous opportunities for our farmers,” said Minister Ritz. “Just as my last mission to Moscow in October led to a number of important wins both for Canadian producers and their Russian partners, meetings like today’s continue to help us strengthen our cooperation.”
Russia is an emerging market and remains a destination for Canadian companies specializing in technology, agriculture and infrastructure. The value of the stock of Canadian foreign direct investment in Russia was approximately $725 million at the end of 2009.
In 1993, Canada and Russia created the Canada-Russia Intergovernmental Economic Commission (IEC) to promote economic relations between the two countries. The commission holds regular meetings to address issues affecting bilateral trade, highlight success stories and encourage business development. Minister Van Loan and First Deputy Prime Minister Zubkov co-chair the commission.
The last full session of the Canada-Russia IEC took place in Moscow in June 2009. The next session is scheduled to take place in Canada in 2011.
Monday, April 12, 2010
China Slaps Duties on U.S., Russian Silicon Steel
(Reuters)
China has imposed countervailing duties on grain-oriented electrical steel produced in the United States, as well as anti-dumping duties against Russian and U.S. steel, its customs administration said.
U.S. producers will be assessed for anti-dumping duties of up to 64.8 percent, and anti-subsidy duties of up to 44.6 percent, it said on its website on Monday.
The state-backed China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters hailed the Ministry of Commerce’s April 10 ruling, which the Ministry has not yet publicly announced, state news agency Xinhua said.
“During the investigation the Ministry found that U.S. producers had received subsidies by the U.S. government, and their unfair competition hurt Chinese producers,” Xinhua said, quoting an unnamed person at the chamber of commerce.
On Friday, the U.S. announced a final decision to impose stiff duties on Chinese-made oil country tubular goods, which are steel pipe used in the oil industry. Read more here.
China has imposed countervailing duties on grain-oriented electrical steel produced in the United States, as well as anti-dumping duties against Russian and U.S. steel, its customs administration said.
U.S. producers will be assessed for anti-dumping duties of up to 64.8 percent, and anti-subsidy duties of up to 44.6 percent, it said on its website on Monday.
The state-backed China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters hailed the Ministry of Commerce’s April 10 ruling, which the Ministry has not yet publicly announced, state news agency Xinhua said.
“During the investigation the Ministry found that U.S. producers had received subsidies by the U.S. government, and their unfair competition hurt Chinese producers,” Xinhua said, quoting an unnamed person at the chamber of commerce.
On Friday, the U.S. announced a final decision to impose stiff duties on Chinese-made oil country tubular goods, which are steel pipe used in the oil industry. Read more here.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Russia Lifts Pork Ban from U.S. Wisconsin, Canada
(Reuters – Aleksandras Budrys)
Russia said on Friday it would lift a ban on live pigs and raw pork imports from the U.S. state of Wisconsin and Canada's Ontario province from July 18 due to what it said was a "stabilization" of the situation of the H1N1 virus in those places.
The animal and plant health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said it now applies a ban on imports of live pigs and uncooked pork from only one U.S. state – Florida, as well as the whole of Great Britain and three Japanese prefectures.
Bans will no longer be applied to Canada from July 18. Read more here.
Russia said on Friday it would lift a ban on live pigs and raw pork imports from the U.S. state of Wisconsin and Canada's Ontario province from July 18 due to what it said was a "stabilization" of the situation of the H1N1 virus in those places.
The animal and plant health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said it now applies a ban on imports of live pigs and uncooked pork from only one U.S. state – Florida, as well as the whole of Great Britain and three Japanese prefectures.
Bans will no longer be applied to Canada from July 18. Read more here.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Minister Day Launches Infrastructure Trade Mission to Russia
(Minister of International Trade)
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, arrived in Russia today with a trade mission composed of 33 Canadian companies representing various facets of Canada’s infrastructure sector.
Minister Day’s trade mission kicks off with a tour of Novie Veshki, a Canadian-built housing complex and one of the largest subdivisions in Moscow. This development is the first in Russia to mirror Canadian building codes, making it a good example of how Canadian expertise can be applied – with great success – in this country.
“The Novie Veshki project is moving forward with the direct involvement of Canadian engineers and architects. It represents the first housing project in Russia to adopt building codes that mirror Canada’s strict regulations,” explained Minister Day. “I was impressed to note that this new housing complex looks just like the ones we see in Canada. In fact, looking around, it feels like I haven’t left Canada!”
The trade mission will stop in Moscow and Sochi, where Minister Day will also meet with representatives of Canadian companies already doing business in Russia, including infrastructure development for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“Canadian companies have proven to be world-class competitors. They have a lot to offer, particularly expertise in construction and infrastructure development,” said Minister Day. “I am here in Russia this week to promote what Canada has to offer and to help Canadian businesses build bridges to the Russian marketplace.”
The Russian Federation is an emerging market and remains a key destination for Canadian companies specializing in technology, agriculture and infrastructure. Canada’s exports to Russia grew by 30% in 2008 and have increased almost sevenfold since 2000.
More details about Minister Day’s trade visit to Russia can be found here.
The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, arrived in Russia today with a trade mission composed of 33 Canadian companies representing various facets of Canada’s infrastructure sector.
Minister Day’s trade mission kicks off with a tour of Novie Veshki, a Canadian-built housing complex and one of the largest subdivisions in Moscow. This development is the first in Russia to mirror Canadian building codes, making it a good example of how Canadian expertise can be applied – with great success – in this country.
“The Novie Veshki project is moving forward with the direct involvement of Canadian engineers and architects. It represents the first housing project in Russia to adopt building codes that mirror Canada’s strict regulations,” explained Minister Day. “I was impressed to note that this new housing complex looks just like the ones we see in Canada. In fact, looking around, it feels like I haven’t left Canada!”
The trade mission will stop in Moscow and Sochi, where Minister Day will also meet with representatives of Canadian companies already doing business in Russia, including infrastructure development for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“Canadian companies have proven to be world-class competitors. They have a lot to offer, particularly expertise in construction and infrastructure development,” said Minister Day. “I am here in Russia this week to promote what Canada has to offer and to help Canadian businesses build bridges to the Russian marketplace.”
The Russian Federation is an emerging market and remains a key destination for Canadian companies specializing in technology, agriculture and infrastructure. Canada’s exports to Russia grew by 30% in 2008 and have increased almost sevenfold since 2000.
More details about Minister Day’s trade visit to Russia can be found here.
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