Researchers and experts outline EEU development priorities at Moscow meeting

Integration is the key to development. The Eurasian Economic Union provides unique opportunities for member states. The key to further economic growth is to reduce existing barriers and encourage investment. This was revealed by the participants of the roundtable on the development of the EAEU. It took place in Moscow.

"If we talk about investment activities, there are public investments, they are discussed at EAEU interstate meetings, and there are private investments. And in order to influence the nature of investments, their direction, certain investment incentives have to be created," said Andrey Kortunov, RIAC director general.

The exchange of goods between the countries of the association has shown a 10 per cent increase. This breaks all records. According to the Eurasian Development Bank, it exceeded $80 billion. The authors of the report "Development of the EAEU 2022+: Strategic challenges and the demands of the times" dedicated their research to the results and prospects of the bloc's development. The presentation of the work became part of the meeting.

"The authors of the report succeeded in outlining quite clearly the main development priorities of the EAEU, taking into account internal and external aspects of the organisation's development. The current problems and challenges currently facing the organisation were outlined," said Artem Pylin, a roundtable participant and leading researcher at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Among the challenges are the integration of financial systems and the strengthening of industrial cooperation. The authors of the report paid particular attention to the social aspects of cooperation within the EAEU. A survey was carried out on residents' attitudes towards a wide range of bilateral issues within the bloc. Part of the discussion was devoted to the interaction of the EAEU countries with the BRICS and other groupings.

"There is a model like BRICS+, that is, through the BRICS member countries you can reach out to entire continents. Through Brazil, you can intensify your trade and economic relations with a large number of partners in Latin America. In the same way, it is possible to enter African markets through South Africa," Andrey Kortunov, RIAC director general, summed up.

The round table was organised by the Russian International Affairs Council. Its experts regularly carry out scientific research. For instance, every year they present an analysis of the development of Russian-Chinese relations. The council also helps to implement joint projects with partners from the PRC, India and other countries.

Photo: TV BRICS