From disintegration to reintegration. Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union in International Trade

This study analyses the evolution of trade in 27 transition countries since the fall of Communism. It finds that most of the Region's countries are better integrated into the global economy today than at any time since the Russian Revolution.

Over the past 10 years, exports have tripled, imports have increased two and one-half times, and trade has grown at a faster pace than any other region worldwide.

But to take full advantage of greater liberalisation, countries must push ahead more strongly on domestic ('behind-the-border') reforms.

Without such reforms, two trading blocs will continue to emerge: one faster-reforming, richer group of countries with ties to Western Europe, and a second, slower-reforming, poorer group focused on Russia

World Bank: From disintegration to reintegration. Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union in International Trade http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/ECAEXT/0,,contentMDK:20723133~pagePK:146736~piPK:146830~theSitePK:258599,00.html

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