Subject: Investment and Integrity featured at Moscow Summit
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009
From: "John Sullivan" <JDSullivan@cipe.org>
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)
RUSSIA-U.S. JOINT WORKING GROUP ON INVESTMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY PRESENTS RECOMMENDATIONS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA
In Moscow today, the Russia-U.S. Joint Working Group on Investment and Institutional Integrity provided its recommendations to President Barack Obama on cooperative efforts between the two countries to strengthen governance, integrity and transparency in Russia. The Group’s findings were presented by Elena Panfilova, head of Transparency International-Russia and a Joint Working Group member, at a meeting of civil society organizations, held in conjunction with the presidential summit.
The Joint Working Group, comprising 12 experts on public and private governance from both Russia and the U.S., is an initiative of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and OPORA (the Union of Business Associations of Russia). The Group considered issues such as the rule of law, improved governance and corruption, which are centerpieces of President Dmitry Medvedev’s agenda, and about which President Obama spoke today in Moscow during an address to the New Economic School. The Joint Working Group examined 11 key areas for action, formulating policy recommendations in a report in both Russian and English which, if implemented, can help stimulate economic growth, attract investment, create jobs, lower costs of goods and services, and facilitate Russia’s further integration into the global economy.
In its report, the Joint Working Group commended the anti-corruption measures introduced in recent years notably President Medvedev’s National Anti-Corruption Plan but urged increased attention to the “incentive system” in Russia’s economy as well as: ensuring that existing laws function as intended; improving governance in problem areas; and engaging with the international community, through both the private sector and various international agreements. Discussing the Group’s efforts, Gregori Lebedev, Chairman of the CIPE board remarked that “Both Presidents Obama and Medvedev have identified the importance of the rule of law and transparency as key drivers of economic development. The report of our Joint Working Group mirrors their commitment to these principles, and is fully consistent with the objectives of achieving sustainable prosperity in both Russia and the U.S.”
These views were echoed by Sergei Borisov, President of OPORA, who noted, “Fighting corruption is of central importance for the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in Russia, which are often the victims, not the source, of corruption. International experience can help us put into place the necessary legal measures to fight corruption, but most importantly, to facilitate their implementation.” Indeed, in her presentation to President Obama, Panfilova reiterated the importance of international cooperation on these issues, stating, “All of us who met in Moscow today experts, businesspeople and civil society leaders, from Russia and the U.S. share a common problem, which means that we all need transparency, just as we need air, and that we must continue our collective efforts to fight corruption.”
Working Group Members:
Russia
Sergei Borisov, President, OPORA Russia
Igor Yurgens, Chairman, Institute for Contemporary Development
Andrei Sharonov, Managing Director, Troika Dialog Group
Yaroslav Kuzminov, Rector, Higher School of Economics
Elena Panfilova, Director, Transparency International Russia
Igor Belikov, Director, Russian Institute of Directors
United States
Gregori Lebedev, Chairman, CIPE
Roderick Hills, Chairman, Hills Program, Center for Strategic & International
Studies
Alan Larson, Chairman, Transparency International-USA
Alexandra Wrage, President, TRACE International
Judy Shelton, Board Member, National Endowment for Democracy
Blair Ruble, Director, Kennan Institute
ABOUT CIPE:
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy and a non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For 25 years, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and journalists to build the civic institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include anti-corruption, advocacy, business associations, corporate governance, democratic governance, access to information, the informal sector and property rights, and women and youth. www.cipe.org
ABOUT OPORA:
OPORA Russia is Russia’s largest business association, with 80 regional branches and 345,000 members, including individual entrepreneurs, as well as 116 sector-based associations, guilds and other organizations. OPORA advocates for favorable policies in support of small business and to improve the business climate in Russia; works to remove administrative barriers to business and research key business-related developments; encourages economic diversification; and provides direct support to entrepreneurs. www.opora.ru.
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