Lev Freinkman | Moscow State University (original) (raw)

Papers by Lev Freinkman

Research paper thumbnail of Ukraine's trade policy : a strategy for integration into global trade

This publication identifies the key drivers of Ukraine's recent trade performance, assesses c... more This publication identifies the key drivers of Ukraine's recent trade performance, assesses current trade policies, and proposes recommendations to strengthen the Ukraine's trade integration strategy. It also identifies core bottlenecks in the ongoing integration processes, including global and regional integration. The study concludes that the main obstacles to furthering Ukraine's trade integration are domestic, and relate to deficiencies in the business environment. Problems in customs administration, standardization, and administrative barriers for new entry require immediate attention. The report highlights specific policy issues that hamper World Trade Organization (WTO) accession, such as trade legislation, protection of intellectual property rights, government support for specific industries, and export restrictions. It also recommends improvements in the structure of Ukraine's import tariffs, reform of both the regime of free economic zones and mechanism of ...

Research paper thumbnail of Fiscal decentralization in rentier regions: evidence from Russia

World Development, 2009

... with higher fiscal decentralization. As the size of municipalities grows, they become capable... more ... with higher fiscal decentralization. As the size of municipalities grows, they become capable of providing a wider range of public goods and services, which could not be provided within smallrural communities. The study by the Inter-American Development Bank (1997) found ...

Research paper thumbnail of The Elite Consensus and Regional Economic Development: The Experience of the Republic of Tatarstan

Economic Policy

Аннотация В контексте необходимости перехода России к новой модели экономического развития и с уч... more Аннотация В контексте необходимости перехода России к новой модели экономического развития и с учетом международного опыта, показывающего, что драйверами роста в больших странах могут выступать продвинутые регионы, в статье анализируется модель управления развитием, складывающаяся в Республике Татарстан. В российских условиях начиная с середины 2000-х годов эта модель воспринималась как пример лучшей практики. Выявлены основные характеристики и этапы в эволюции модели развития РТ, в рамках SWOT-анализа выделены преимущества и ограничения данной модели. Отмечается, что в Татарстане сформировался особый инвестиционный климат, отличающийся предсказуемостью правительственной политики, более низкими затратами и рисками ведения бизнеса по сравнению с другими регионами, неформальными гарантиями для предпринимателей, готовых инвестировать в приоритетные для РТ проекты. Обосновывается тезис о том, что согласование интересов основных групп в региональной элите, их консенсус в отношении приоритетов развития РТ и механизмов их достижения были и остаются важным сравнительным преимуществом Татарстана. Возможности формирования в РТ модели догоняющего развития по аналогии с успешными странами Юго-Восточной Азии будут определяться тем, в какой мере действующая элита Татарстана окажется способной найти консолидированный ответ на новые вызовы, вставшие перед республикой в последние годы, а также от степени конструктивности федеральной политики в отношении регионов-доноров. К основным препятствиям для развития относятся сложившаяся закрытая структура собственности на основные активы и отставание в уровне оплаты труда.

Research paper thumbnail of How Do Russia’s Regions Adjust to External Shocks? Evidence from the Republic of Tatarstan

Problems of Post-Communism

Research paper thumbnail of How Can Talent Abroad Help Reform Institutions at Home

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of Institutional Dynamics in the Economies in Transition

Research Paper Series, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of The Ratchet Effect in the Dynamics of Deposit Structure: analysis for the CIS countries

Research Paper Series, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of VE Russian original

Research paper thumbnail of Cover Return to Growth in CIS

Research paper thumbnail of Institutional frameworks to support regulatory reform in middle-income economies: lessons from Russia's recent experience

Post-Communist Economies, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of A Tale Of Two Transition Paths?

Despite a common parentage for most of the 20 century, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan followed seeming... more Despite a common parentage for most of the 20 century, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan followed seemingly different paths in transition. Whereas Uzbekistan adopted a gradual and cautious approach to market reforms, Kazakhstan followed a more aggressive strategy. Yet, while Kazakhstan may have achieved a better policy environment today, its overall economic performance has not been better than Uzbekistan's. This paper examines the interplay between policies, institutions, and initial conditions, to examine several competing and complementary hypotheses about why they may have led to different macroeconomic outcomes.

Research paper thumbnail of Nigeria: A Fiscal Agenda for Change

This report reviews the trends in expenditure patterns in public financial management (PFM) in Ni... more This report reviews the trends in expenditure patterns in public financial management (PFM) in Nigeria since 2001, and assesses the impact thus far o f the ongoing government reform efforts. The PEMFAR covers areas that have been traditionally undertaken by separate Bank reports such as the Public Expenditure Reviews (PER), the Country Financial Accountability Assessment (CFAA), and the Country Procurement Assessment Review (CPAR). The analysis covers fiscal policies and performance at both federal and state government levels.

Research paper thumbnail of Ukraine Trade Policy Study (In Two Volumes) Volume II: Main Report

The main objectives of the study were the following: - foster a better understanding of key drive... more The main objectives of the study were the following: - foster a better understanding of key drivers of recent trade performance; - assess current trade policies and provide additional recommendations to strengthen the Government’s trade integration strategy; - identify core bottlenecks in the ongoing integration processes, especially with respect to WTO accession; and - develop recommendations for Ukraine’s international partners with respect to providing, (a) Ukraine with a level playing field in terms of its access to international trade, and (b) the government with additional technical assistance that would help Ukraine upgrade its trade policies and institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of Russia: Fiscal Costs of Structural Reforms

This Report discusses the challenge of budget financing of core structural reforms within a broad... more This Report discusses the challenge of budget financing of core structural reforms within a broader framework of fiscal management reforms in Russia. It argues that explicit financing of structural reforms is fully justifiable because these are the investments in the institutional infrastructure with a high rate of return. In addition, Russia currently appears to have a fiscal room for some incremental spending. However, the number of simultaneous reform initiatives should be kept limited to ensure that the accumulation of new liabilities do not undermine fiscal sustainability. In addition, the Government’s commitment to explicit reform financing should be accompanied by additional steps in strengthening the fiscal management system. The adoption of formal fiscal rules could strengthen the government’s ability to manage external shocks, as well as provide budget support for the reform process in a predictable and affordable way.

Research paper thumbnail of Economic Growth in Belarus (1996–2004): Main Drivers and Risks of the Current Strategy

Return to Growth in CIS Countries, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Diasporas as Partners for Development: Indirect (Pragmatic) vs. Direct (Administrative) Approaches to Diaspora Engagement

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000

ABSTRACT The chapter aims to develop an indirect or pragmatic approach to facilitate this virtuou... more ABSTRACT The chapter aims to develop an indirect or pragmatic approach to facilitate this virtuous cycle of diaspora-home country interactions. This approach favors “high-resolution” diaspora policies — ones that cultivate the project-specific relationships and commitments of movers and shakers (both in the diaspora and in homeland institutions) that might make a significant difference and are counted in tens and hundreds, not thousands or tens of thousands. This novel indirect approach is contrasts conventional direct, or administrative, approaches. The indirect approach is currently in its infancy, which is why we had to rely on our personal policy experience perhaps more than is usual in the context of academic literature.

Research paper thumbnail of Nigeria PEMFAR 2007 Ex Summary

The study was prepared by the World Bank team led by Lev Freinkman. The primary authors o f the s... more The study was prepared by the World Bank team led by Lev Freinkman. The primary authors o f the study are Lev Freinkman (Chapter l), Lev Freinkman, Michael Stevens, Allan Gustafsson and Gert van der Linde (Chapter 2), Chinedum Nwoko (Chapter 3), Bay0 Awosemusi, Mette Lassens, and Soren Staugaard Nielsen (Chapter 4), Mohua Mukherjee (Chapter 5). The PEFA Assessment report reflected in Annex 1 was prepared by M i k e Stevens, Allan Gustafsson, Lev Freinkman, Gert van der Linde, Bay0 Awosemusi and Ilaria Chessa. Adebola Babalola provided research assistance. ' The UNDP Niger Delta Human Development Report (2006) presents a picture o f pervasive poverty, environmental degradation, and longstanding exclusion o f local communities in Niger Delta. I t claims that the preeminent underlying cause o f this situation has been a failure o f governance at all levels.

Research paper thumbnail of Spansih Tr of Diaspora Article

Research paper thumbnail of BOFIT Policy Brief 2014 No. 12 Institutional frameworks to support regulatory reform in middle-income economies: Lessons from Russia's recent experience Bank of Finland, BOFIT Institute for Economies in Transition

Institutional frameworks to support regulatory reform in middle-income economies: Lessons from Ru... more Institutional frameworks to support regulatory reform in middle-income economies: Lessons from Russia's recent experience

Research paper thumbnail of Belarus. Industrial Performance Before and During the Global Crisis

Industrial performance in Belarus remained strong in 2005-08. Industrial productivity growth was ... more Industrial performance in Belarus remained strong in 2005-08. Industrial productivity growth was broad based, driven by within-firm-improvements of the existing industrial enterprises rather than by new entry.  However, below the surface, there are a number of warning signs regarding the quality and sustainability of the Belarusian industrial growth: wage growth exceeded productivity gains, adversely affecting competitiveness of industry (especially manufacturing) and casting a shadow over medium-term prospects. This reflects, among other things, rigid labor markets and wages and predominance of state owned enterprises in the industrial structure.

Research paper thumbnail of Ukraine's trade policy : a strategy for integration into global trade

This publication identifies the key drivers of Ukraine's recent trade performance, assesses c... more This publication identifies the key drivers of Ukraine's recent trade performance, assesses current trade policies, and proposes recommendations to strengthen the Ukraine's trade integration strategy. It also identifies core bottlenecks in the ongoing integration processes, including global and regional integration. The study concludes that the main obstacles to furthering Ukraine's trade integration are domestic, and relate to deficiencies in the business environment. Problems in customs administration, standardization, and administrative barriers for new entry require immediate attention. The report highlights specific policy issues that hamper World Trade Organization (WTO) accession, such as trade legislation, protection of intellectual property rights, government support for specific industries, and export restrictions. It also recommends improvements in the structure of Ukraine's import tariffs, reform of both the regime of free economic zones and mechanism of ...

Research paper thumbnail of Fiscal decentralization in rentier regions: evidence from Russia

World Development, 2009

... with higher fiscal decentralization. As the size of municipalities grows, they become capable... more ... with higher fiscal decentralization. As the size of municipalities grows, they become capable of providing a wider range of public goods and services, which could not be provided within smallrural communities. The study by the Inter-American Development Bank (1997) found ...

Research paper thumbnail of The Elite Consensus and Regional Economic Development: The Experience of the Republic of Tatarstan

Economic Policy

Аннотация В контексте необходимости перехода России к новой модели экономического развития и с уч... more Аннотация В контексте необходимости перехода России к новой модели экономического развития и с учетом международного опыта, показывающего, что драйверами роста в больших странах могут выступать продвинутые регионы, в статье анализируется модель управления развитием, складывающаяся в Республике Татарстан. В российских условиях начиная с середины 2000-х годов эта модель воспринималась как пример лучшей практики. Выявлены основные характеристики и этапы в эволюции модели развития РТ, в рамках SWOT-анализа выделены преимущества и ограничения данной модели. Отмечается, что в Татарстане сформировался особый инвестиционный климат, отличающийся предсказуемостью правительственной политики, более низкими затратами и рисками ведения бизнеса по сравнению с другими регионами, неформальными гарантиями для предпринимателей, готовых инвестировать в приоритетные для РТ проекты. Обосновывается тезис о том, что согласование интересов основных групп в региональной элите, их консенсус в отношении приоритетов развития РТ и механизмов их достижения были и остаются важным сравнительным преимуществом Татарстана. Возможности формирования в РТ модели догоняющего развития по аналогии с успешными странами Юго-Восточной Азии будут определяться тем, в какой мере действующая элита Татарстана окажется способной найти консолидированный ответ на новые вызовы, вставшие перед республикой в последние годы, а также от степени конструктивности федеральной политики в отношении регионов-доноров. К основным препятствиям для развития относятся сложившаяся закрытая структура собственности на основные активы и отставание в уровне оплаты труда.

Research paper thumbnail of How Do Russia’s Regions Adjust to External Shocks? Evidence from the Republic of Tatarstan

Problems of Post-Communism

Research paper thumbnail of How Can Talent Abroad Help Reform Institutions at Home

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of Institutional Dynamics in the Economies in Transition

Research Paper Series, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of The Ratchet Effect in the Dynamics of Deposit Structure: analysis for the CIS countries

Research Paper Series, 2009

Research paper thumbnail of VE Russian original

Research paper thumbnail of Cover Return to Growth in CIS

Research paper thumbnail of Institutional frameworks to support regulatory reform in middle-income economies: lessons from Russia's recent experience

Post-Communist Economies, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of A Tale Of Two Transition Paths?

Despite a common parentage for most of the 20 century, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan followed seeming... more Despite a common parentage for most of the 20 century, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan followed seemingly different paths in transition. Whereas Uzbekistan adopted a gradual and cautious approach to market reforms, Kazakhstan followed a more aggressive strategy. Yet, while Kazakhstan may have achieved a better policy environment today, its overall economic performance has not been better than Uzbekistan's. This paper examines the interplay between policies, institutions, and initial conditions, to examine several competing and complementary hypotheses about why they may have led to different macroeconomic outcomes.

Research paper thumbnail of Nigeria: A Fiscal Agenda for Change

This report reviews the trends in expenditure patterns in public financial management (PFM) in Ni... more This report reviews the trends in expenditure patterns in public financial management (PFM) in Nigeria since 2001, and assesses the impact thus far o f the ongoing government reform efforts. The PEMFAR covers areas that have been traditionally undertaken by separate Bank reports such as the Public Expenditure Reviews (PER), the Country Financial Accountability Assessment (CFAA), and the Country Procurement Assessment Review (CPAR). The analysis covers fiscal policies and performance at both federal and state government levels.

Research paper thumbnail of Ukraine Trade Policy Study (In Two Volumes) Volume II: Main Report

The main objectives of the study were the following: - foster a better understanding of key drive... more The main objectives of the study were the following: - foster a better understanding of key drivers of recent trade performance; - assess current trade policies and provide additional recommendations to strengthen the Government’s trade integration strategy; - identify core bottlenecks in the ongoing integration processes, especially with respect to WTO accession; and - develop recommendations for Ukraine’s international partners with respect to providing, (a) Ukraine with a level playing field in terms of its access to international trade, and (b) the government with additional technical assistance that would help Ukraine upgrade its trade policies and institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of Russia: Fiscal Costs of Structural Reforms

This Report discusses the challenge of budget financing of core structural reforms within a broad... more This Report discusses the challenge of budget financing of core structural reforms within a broader framework of fiscal management reforms in Russia. It argues that explicit financing of structural reforms is fully justifiable because these are the investments in the institutional infrastructure with a high rate of return. In addition, Russia currently appears to have a fiscal room for some incremental spending. However, the number of simultaneous reform initiatives should be kept limited to ensure that the accumulation of new liabilities do not undermine fiscal sustainability. In addition, the Government’s commitment to explicit reform financing should be accompanied by additional steps in strengthening the fiscal management system. The adoption of formal fiscal rules could strengthen the government’s ability to manage external shocks, as well as provide budget support for the reform process in a predictable and affordable way.

Research paper thumbnail of Economic Growth in Belarus (1996–2004): Main Drivers and Risks of the Current Strategy

Return to Growth in CIS Countries, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Diasporas as Partners for Development: Indirect (Pragmatic) vs. Direct (Administrative) Approaches to Diaspora Engagement

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000

ABSTRACT The chapter aims to develop an indirect or pragmatic approach to facilitate this virtuou... more ABSTRACT The chapter aims to develop an indirect or pragmatic approach to facilitate this virtuous cycle of diaspora-home country interactions. This approach favors “high-resolution” diaspora policies — ones that cultivate the project-specific relationships and commitments of movers and shakers (both in the diaspora and in homeland institutions) that might make a significant difference and are counted in tens and hundreds, not thousands or tens of thousands. This novel indirect approach is contrasts conventional direct, or administrative, approaches. The indirect approach is currently in its infancy, which is why we had to rely on our personal policy experience perhaps more than is usual in the context of academic literature.

Research paper thumbnail of Nigeria PEMFAR 2007 Ex Summary

The study was prepared by the World Bank team led by Lev Freinkman. The primary authors o f the s... more The study was prepared by the World Bank team led by Lev Freinkman. The primary authors o f the study are Lev Freinkman (Chapter l), Lev Freinkman, Michael Stevens, Allan Gustafsson and Gert van der Linde (Chapter 2), Chinedum Nwoko (Chapter 3), Bay0 Awosemusi, Mette Lassens, and Soren Staugaard Nielsen (Chapter 4), Mohua Mukherjee (Chapter 5). The PEFA Assessment report reflected in Annex 1 was prepared by M i k e Stevens, Allan Gustafsson, Lev Freinkman, Gert van der Linde, Bay0 Awosemusi and Ilaria Chessa. Adebola Babalola provided research assistance. ' The UNDP Niger Delta Human Development Report (2006) presents a picture o f pervasive poverty, environmental degradation, and longstanding exclusion o f local communities in Niger Delta. I t claims that the preeminent underlying cause o f this situation has been a failure o f governance at all levels.

Research paper thumbnail of Spansih Tr of Diaspora Article

Research paper thumbnail of BOFIT Policy Brief 2014 No. 12 Institutional frameworks to support regulatory reform in middle-income economies: Lessons from Russia's recent experience Bank of Finland, BOFIT Institute for Economies in Transition

Institutional frameworks to support regulatory reform in middle-income economies: Lessons from Ru... more Institutional frameworks to support regulatory reform in middle-income economies: Lessons from Russia's recent experience

Research paper thumbnail of Belarus. Industrial Performance Before and During the Global Crisis

Industrial performance in Belarus remained strong in 2005-08. Industrial productivity growth was ... more Industrial performance in Belarus remained strong in 2005-08. Industrial productivity growth was broad based, driven by within-firm-improvements of the existing industrial enterprises rather than by new entry.  However, below the surface, there are a number of warning signs regarding the quality and sustainability of the Belarusian industrial growth: wage growth exceeded productivity gains, adversely affecting competitiveness of industry (especially manufacturing) and casting a shadow over medium-term prospects. This reflects, among other things, rigid labor markets and wages and predominance of state owned enterprises in the industrial structure.