Can Russia Compete? Enhancing Productivity and Innovation in a Globalizing World

On October 15, 2008, Brookings co-hosted a discussion with the World Bank InfoShop on Can Russia Compete? Enhancing Productivity and Innovation in a Globalizing World. After escaping economic bankruptcy within the past ten years, Russia now needs to set its sights beyond oil and gas. Co-editors Raj M. Desai and Itzhak Goldberg focus on Russia’s neglected manufacturing sector; and quantify and benchmark the relative strengths of the sector, identifying opportunities to increase the emerging economy’s productivity and competitiveness. Through their research and analysis, the editors formulate proposals that aim to enhance the innovative potential of Russian firms, upgrade the skills of their workforces, and develop a business-friendly climate with lower administrative costs and greater policy certainty.