The majority of Russians negatively estimate Russia’s joining WTO

The majority of Russians negatively estimate the country’s joining WTO. Unemployment, recession of national economics and rise of prices – the lion’s share of the participants of the poll, conducted by the all-Russian Public Opinion Investigation Center (VSIOM) are afraid of these after-effects.

As it became evident in the course of the inquiry, almost a half of our compatriots – 48% - believe that WTO membership will result in rise of import, recession and, as a consequence, in growth of unemployment. 30% of the interrogated believe that WTO membership will “give additional workplaces and offices of foreign companies will be opened in the country”. Other participants failed to choose one of the possible scenarios.

45% of the interrogated predict a harsh reduction and, perhaps, even total liquidation of Russian industry. Less than 35% believe that Russia’s joining WTO will push national production because in this case Russian enterprises can enter international markets and will inculcate new progressive technologies.

42% of the interrogated say that “joining WTO will lead to domination of foreign goods in Russian markets (foods first of all) and, as a consequence, to the rise of prices and to cutback of assortment, while 36% are sure that WTO membership will strengthen competition, will lead to widening of assortment and to the drop of prices for consumer goods, first of all for foods and clothes.

The majority of people questioned failed to answer the question did WTO joining meet the interests of Russia – 45%. 30% said it would be good for Russia and 25% were sure of the contrary.

VSIOM specialists say that comparing the results of the present poll and the same investigation in 2010 the opinion that joining WTO met the interests of the country dominated that time – 56%.