International experts discuss the prospects for integration among EurAsEC countries

A roundtable will take place on 29-31 October in Almaty, where participants are set to discuss the prospects for and trends and mechanisms of regional integration among the countries of the EurAsEC (Eurasian Economic Community). The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) organized the roundtable event.

Economic growth in the countries in the region amounts to nearly 7-8% per year, mutual trade is up roughly 30%, and the total volume of mutual investment reached approximately USD 3.9 billion in 2006. However, the rate of integration among the countries in the Eurasian region is currently lower than planned. What is slowing down the processes? Political and economic factors, external preconditions - these are all issues that will be discussed during the event, at which well known experts in economic and political international relations within the region are expected to attend. These include:

Mr. Novozhikov, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Secretary of the CIS; Mr. Primbetov, Deputy General Secretary of EurAsEC; Mr. Ivanter, Director of the Institute for National Economic Forecasting under the Russian Academy of Science; Mr. Vardomsky, the head of the Centre for Comparative Studies of Transformative Processes at the Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of Economics; Mr. Rakhimov, the acting Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Fund to Save the Aral Sea; and a number of international financial experts, including from the EDB.

Some of the region's most important issues will be discussed at the roundtable, including: mutual trade and mutual investment among the EurAsEC countries, the internationalization of the countries of the EurAsEC, the hydroelectric sector of Central Asia, and the development of a transborder infrastructure in EurAsEC.

“This roundtable is the first international forum of its kind organized by the Eurasian Development Bank. We see this event has a practical stage in the formation of research programs and rolling out the EDB's analytical works," said Vladimir Yasinsky, a member of the EDB's management board. “We consult our delegates on issues of economic development, the efficient use of resources, and the expansion of trade and economic ties. In line with the Bank’s strategy for 2008 - 2010, the EDB has set itself the goal of becoming one of the key intellectual centres for the analysis, development and support of integration processes among its member countries.”