The Russian Far East

by Michael Bradshaw

Published 1 January 1999
The regions of the Russian far east turned to their neighbours in northeast Asia in the hope that increased trade and investment might finance economic recovery after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Unfortunately a combination of domestic economic and political problems and the Asian financial crises have frustrated such plans for increased integration. This paper examines the recent economic situation in the Russian far east and current patterns of foreign trade and investment activity. This analysis serves as the basis for a scenario-building exercise that considers the consequences of both boom and bust in this regions.