Seven Years After the Breakup

On September 14-16, 1998, CIPE and the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank co-sponsored a region-wide NIS Conference in Moscow, Russia, entitled "Seven Years After the Break-up: A Regional Conference for the New Independent States." Business associations and think tanks throughout the NIS gathered to examine how far their countries have come in the transition to market-based democracies, and how to overcome the obstacles that remain along that path. Sixty-one representatives from fifteen countries (twelve NIS countries) participated in the Conference.

A summary of the speeches presented at the conference and the main points addressed can be found in this conference report. Speeches included in the book:

Andrei Illarionov, one of Russia's leading economists and the Director of Moscow's Institute of Economic Analysis, bears responsibility for the Russian financial crisis, as well as what should be done now and in the future to avoid repeating mistakes. Alexander Chesnokov, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (RCCI), discusses Russia's taxation policy. Bernardo Villegas gives his perspective of the Asian crisis and suggests lessons that the NIS can learn from it. Observing that human beings constitute any country's greatest resource, he declares that there is always hope so long as there are human beings in the country. Dr.Villegas is Dean of the School of Economics of the University of Asia and the Pacific in Manila, the Philippines. He often advises government officials on many policy issues and has recently been asked by President Estrada to help promote the Philippines among local and foreign investors. John A. Bohn , Chairman of CIPE and Chairman of CheMatch.com, and former President of Moody's Investors Service, speaks to representatives of eleven NIS countries about what does and does not work for a country to gain investment. Mr. Bohn explores such issues as the proper role of government and a country's attitude towards business.