Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

MOSCOWJuly 10, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing what Russians think about Russia`s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and what economic approach Russia should take in this regard.

Russians think that the entry to the World Trade Organization is likely to be in the interests of the country. Over the recent years Russians think that Russia`s entry to the WTO is in the interests of the country (41-44%). As a rule, they are supporters of "United Russia" and "Fair Russia" parties (47% and 45% respectively). Since 2005 the share of respondents who are confident that Russia`s membership in the WTO would be contrary to the interests of Russia has been decreasing (from 24% to 20%). Those who think so are CPRF and other parties` adherents ("Pravoe Delo", "Partiots of Russia", "Yabloko") - 32% and 35% respectively. Thirty-nine percent of respondents were undecided. Those who think that the WTO accession is in the interests of Russia are basically residents of the Urals (57%), Russians with high level of income (49%) and with high level of education (49%). Those who are opposing are residents of North-Western Federal District (26%) and those with low level of income (24%).

Russians think that joining the WTO we should not abandon protectionism in the interests of the domestic economy. The sectors of economy that should be protected first are agriculture and food industry (86%), oil and gas industry (80%). The sectors that need less protection, as Russians think, are air crafting (70%), banking and insurance (66%), as well as clothes, shoes and furniture industries and et cet. (65%). 

Russians also advise to abandon domestic production protection and lift import barriers in such industries as air crafting (34%), domestic appliances and electronics (32%), tobacco and alcohol production (28%), clothes, shoes and furniture industries (23%).

Over the recent years the share of Russians in favor of protectionism in all above-mentioned sectors of economy has decreased: mainly in tobacco and alcohol production (52% against 76% in 2005), clothes, shoes and furniture industries (65% against 81%), auto industry (54% against 70%), air crafting (70% against 88%), banking and insurance services (66% against 80%). At the same time, the share of those who oppose the idea to protect domestic industries and to lift import barriers has increased.

 

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on July 4-5, 2009. 

1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

 

In your opinion, is  Russia`s accession to the World Trade Organization (WYO) in the interests of Russia or counter to Russia's interests?

 (close-ended question, one answer)

 

2005

2006

2009

In the interests of Russia

43

44

41

It runs counter to Russia` interests

24

22

20

Hard to tell

33

34

39

In your opinion, is  Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WYO) generally in the interests of Russia or counter to Russia's interests?

 (close-ended question, one answer)

 

Total respondents

Parties that Russians would vote for, if the State Duma elections took place on the nearest Sunday

 

United Russia

CPRF

LDPR

Fair Russia

Other (Pravoe Delo,Patriots of Russia,Yabloko)

I would not participate in the elections

In the interests of Russia

41

47

29

44

45

35

31

It runs counter to Russia` interests

20

15

32

28

22

35

25

Hard to tell

39

37

39

28

33

30

47

With Russia`s accession to the WTO Russia have to decide on the strategy of the development of domestic economic industries. Which of the two approaches should be applied to the following economic industries:

 (close-ended question, one answer per  each position)

 

To support domestic producers and to restrict the import of goods from abroad, in spite of increasing prices for such products for Russian producers and quality which is not always high

To abandon domestic producers support and to lift import barriers, because this is the only way to increase the quality of products and to retain  a reasonable price

 

Hard to tell

 

2005

2006

2009

2005

2006

2009

2005

2006

2009

Agriculture and food industry

93

84

86

3

8

6

5

8

8

Oil and gas industry

91

-

80

4

-

10

5

-

11

Air crafting

88

76

70

6

13

16

6

10

14

Banking and insurance

80

65

66

10

18

15

11

17

19

Clothes, shoes, furniture industries

81

-

65

14

-

23

6

-

12

Domestic appliances, electronics

67

-

56

26

-

32

6

-

13

Auto industry

70

-

54

23

-

34

7

-

11

Tobacco and alcohol

76

-

52

14

-

28

10

-

20

 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,

the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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