Astana, Kazakhstan, Jan.21
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Kazakhstan and Russia have two channels to confront a new crisis, the Russian economist, professor, deputy director of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations Gennady Chufrin said.
"We expect a drop in the GDP this year after a five-year period," he said. "It is expected to be at the level of 3 percent. It might sound quite negative, but I would like to express my belief that neither Russia nor other members of the EEU are destined to follow this scenario. Otherwise, I think they have quite serious economic and political potential allowing to successfully withstand the rising challenges."
The expert also said that the reasons of the crisis could be easily explained. It includes slowing down economic activity, reduction of prices for oil and raw materials and sanction policy of the western countries aimed at Russia.
The expert said that Russia and Kazakhstan already have experience in overcoming the 2008 crisis. But today, in his opinion, they have created new opportunities. So, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAU) has started functioning since January 1, 2015.
"At the same time, without diminishing the importance of the EAU, I believe that we should not isolate ourselves from the intense cooperation with other countries that seek to serious cooperation with our member states of the EAU," said Chufrin. "A list of these countries is wide."
He said that "Kazakhstan and Russia are able to mitigate the impact of the new global crisis namely through the presence of two channels - cooperation within the EAU and multilateral cooperation with other countries."
Edited by CN