Reports on a study whose goal was to analyze Ukraine's environment for foreign trade and FDI and to develop policy proposals to expand Ukraine's foreign trade and attract more FDI, especially vis-à-vis the United States. Barriers to trade and FDI, the chief one being corruption, are described, and a two-pronged strategy for removing the worst barriers is recommended-one prong to bring immediate results; the other to set in motion changes requiring more time.

This book focuses on the impact of foreign investment on selected sectors of two key transition economies - Russia and Ukraine - to explain the effect of foreign direct investment on the transitional economy. It examines how key Western players in the international investment business have chosen whether to invest in the former Soviet Union and applies these findings to sectors within Russia and Ukraine. Whilst recognizing the tremendous importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) as a means to upgrade technology in transition conditions, the study also examines the importance of FDI in internationalizing production. The authors question the difference globalization can make to a transition economy in a situation where domestic investment is not recovering, and where there is still no clear-cut upward trend in levels of production.

This is the first comprehensive informational database of the major political, economic, and legal issues that organizations worldwide need to know about in order to do business in Russia and surrounding countries. The text summarizes the major economic developments in this dynamic region, provides accurate and up-to-date sources on business legislation, and gives crucial practical advice to business people and foreign investors. Using local as well as international sources, each country text provides detailed information on:—the best business opportunities and sectors—legal issues relevant to trade and business activities, including franchising—investment laws, the judiciary, labor law, taxation, IPR laws, currency and banking, and business partnership opportunities—contact details of government offices, business associations, calendars of business events, etc. While the energy sector holds a global significance and tops the international business communities' investment priorities, especially in Russia and Kazakhstan, economic dynamism has been demonstrated over the last decade in all these countries, and there are substantial business opportunities in all economic sectors. The book is written by an economics analyst with a proven track record in providing business information, and a corporate lawyer with extensive experience of engaging at a contractual level with business and government organizations in these countries. It is essential reading for all those involved in legal, business, investment, and political decision-making.

The collapse of the USSR and the emergence of 15 new states from its ashes presents another challenge to the global economy: how to reintegrate the post-Soviet space into the international economy. The spread of liberal market ideology and integration of national economic spaces into a global marketplace faces unique difficulties in the former USSR. This insightful volume explains these challenges, showing how Soviet legacies have worked against a smooth re-entry of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus into the global economy. It also demonstrates how and why global economic forces have had very uneven effects in the area, how the area differs from other parts of the post-communist world where reintegration has proceeded more smoothly, and what the future prospects and political implications are for the region in the global economy.

Ukraine's Trade Policy draws attention to the importance of the post-WTO accession agenda. This book identifies the key drivers of Ukraine's recent trade performance, assesses current trade policies, and provides recommendations to strengthen the country's trade integration strategy. It also identifies core bottlenecks in the ongoing integration processes, including global and regional integration. This study concludes that the main obstacles to furthering Ukraine's trade integration are domestic, and relate to deficiencies in the business environment. Problems in customs administration, standardization, and administrative barriers for new entry require immediate attention. The report highlights specific policy issues that hamper WTO accession, such as trade legislation, protection of intellectual property rights, government support for specific industries, and export restrictions. It also recommends improvements in the structure of Ukraine's import tariffs, reform of both the regime of free economic zones and mechanism of VAT refund, and investment in a major upgrade of government capacity for investment and export promotion. In order to take advantage of WTO membership, the Government will need to undertake significant institutional reforms to implement WTO regulatory rules in ways that facilitate integration into the world economy and provide benefits to private sector participants.