WYG

This project assists the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) of the Russian Federation in taking forward the government's programme of economic reform by providing assistance with deregulation of the economy and removal of administrative barriers. Although much progress has been made in Russia in liberalising the economy, MEDT recognises that much remains to be done to facilitate development of the private sector and to increase its contribution to economic growth.

The priority areas have been identified in previous work supported by the World Bank and EBRD which have reported on administrative barriers related to customs, land codes, licensing, certification, business registration and the activities of regulatory and enforcement agencies. IMC is assisting in strengthening the institutional capacity of MEDT to development legislation and methodologies to deregulate the economy; drafting practical recommendations and developing licensing and technical standards in connection with regulation.

The project has a strong federal component working at Ministry level and is also active in the north-west, central and Urals Federal Okrugs where collaboration is being maintained with the President's representative offices. Close ties are being established with regional governments in Kaliningrad, Velikiy Novgorod, Leningrad and Sverdlovsk Oblasts and with the City of St Petersburg.