Page "Russia" Paragraph 125

The economic development of the country has been uneven geographically with the Moscow region contributing a very large share of the country's GDP.

Another problem is modernisation of infrastructure, ageing and inadequate after years of being neglected in 1990s ; the government has said $ 1 trillion will be invested in development of infrastructure by 2020.

In December 2011, Russia finally joined World Trade Organisation, allowing it a greater access to overseas markets.

Some analysts estimate that WTO membership could bring the Russian economy a bounce of up to 3 per cent annually.

Russia ranks the second most corrupt country in Europe ( after Ukraine ), according to the Corruption Perceptions Index.

The Norwegian-Russian Chamber of Commerce also states that " orruption is one of the biggest problems both Russian and international companies have to deal with.