Category Archives: corruption

Russian Business Environment Update – Part I

Posted on April 14, 2012 by

Economic Fundamentals Economic indicators over the past year were mixed, although a consensus view appears to be forming that they were a net negative and, notably, underscored the long-run structural deficiencies in Russia’s economic development model rather than short-term risks. … Continue reading →

Posted in corruption, foreign investment, PM Putin, russia, strategic industries

Jackson-Vanik: Exit, Stage Left

Posted on March 14, 2012 by

There is a now-infamous study on the subject of “decision fatigue,” which looked at decisions by Israeli judges to grant vs. deny parole. The researchers found a wildly skewed trend in the judge’s decisions, but not by criminal history, ethnicity, … Continue reading →

Posted in congress, corruption, foreign investment, jackson-vanik, russia, WTO | 12 Comments

What to Make of Putin’s Anti-Offshore Crusade

Posted on January 22, 2012 by

Last month, PM Putin addressed the Government Commission on Electricity Generation. At the meeting, Putin launched into a searing critique of Russian companies using offshore “front companies.” Indeed, Putin noted, “Taking the Russian economy and its strategic sectors out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Business and Economy, corruption, Dmitry Medvedev, Gazprom, goskorporatsii, legal update, offshore, PM Putin, President Medvedev, Rostekhnologii, russia, state corporations, utilities companies, Vedomosti, Vladimir Putin, war on corruption | 2 Comments

IKEA in Russia – Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

It has been six months since I last wrote on IKEA, and I thought it was time to check in on TRM’s favorite foreign investor in Russia.  In December, it appeared that IKEA’s problems were only getting worse.  The whole story … Continue reading →

Posted in bribery, bribes, bureaucracy, Business, compliance, corruption, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, IKEA, Nabiullina, oecd, rule of law | 4 Comments

Is Medvedev’s War on Corruption Working? The Case of Overpriced Medical Equipment

Posted on June 13, 2011 by

By now most readers are well familiar with Medvedev’s “war on corruption.”  We know new laws have been passed and enforcement has reportedly increased.  Still, many of the new laws are often ignored (e.g., income declaration requirements).  And much of … Continue reading →

Posted in corruption, President Medvedev, russia, war on corruption | 3 Comments