ロシア経済 ＷＴＯ加盟で自由貿易促進を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 25, 2012)
Russia's WTO entry should promote free trade
ロシア経済　ＷＴＯ加盟で自由貿易促進を（8月24日付・読売社説）

Russia entered the World Trade Organization on Wednesday as the group's 156th member. It is hoped the entry will promote international free trade and stimulate global economic growth.
　ロシアが１５６番目のメンバーとして、世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）に加盟した。自由貿易を促進し経済成長に弾みをつけることが期待されよう。

Russia, which applied for membership in the WTO in 1993, has been called the "last major economy" to enter the group. It is significant that Russia has at last joined the free trade system governed by WTO rules.
　１９９３年に加盟申請したロシアは、未加盟の「最後の大国」と呼ばれた。ロシアがようやく、ＷＴＯルールに基づく自由貿易体制に加わった意義は大きい。

Boosted by rising energy prices, including crude oil, Russia is enjoying solid economic growth. However, the country also faces the challenge of shifting its economy away from excessive dependence on energy resources.
　原油などエネルギー価格の上昇を追い風に、ロシアは堅調な経済成長が続いているが、資源依存体質からの脱却が課題だ。

It needs to transform the structure of its economy by implementing market-opening measures to develop international trade and at the same time attract foreign investment.
市場開放による貿易拡大とともに、海外から投資を呼び込み、経済構造を転換する必要がある。

Since entering the WTO in 2001, China has achieved rapid economic growth through the expansion of trade and investment. China can almost certainly serve as a role model for Russia.
　２００１年にＷＴＯ加盟後、貿易と投資の拡大で急成長した中国が、ロシアのモデルとなろう。

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New market opportunities

In keeping with the rules of entry into the WTO, Russia has promised to gradually lower import duties on such items as industrial products.
　ロシアはＷＴＯ加盟に合わせ、工業製品などの段階的な輸入関税率引き下げを約束している。

For example, the import tariff on automobiles will be lowered from the current 30 percent to 25 percent in the near future, and will be reduced to 15 percent over the next seven years. The tariff on household appliances and electronics will be lowered from 15 percent to a range of 7 percent to 9 percent.
　品目別では、乗用車は現行３０％をすぐに２５％とした後、７年かけて１５％に下げる。家電や電子製品も１５％を７～９％とする。

Russia has also adopted a policy of eventually eliminating all tariffs on IT products, including PCs.
コンピューターなどＩＴ（情報技術）製品についても、将来的に関税ゼロとする方針を打ち出した。

We hope the country steadily progresses with these market-opening measures. It is also important for Russia to streamline its complex customs procedures, which will help boost trade with other countries. Furthermore, Russia needs to tackle the reduction of protectionist barriers that hinder foreign investment.
　ロシアは、これらの市場開放を着実に進めてもらいたい。煩雑な通関手続きを改善し、貿易拡大につなげることも大事だ。海外からの投資を妨げる障壁の削減にも取り組まねばならない。

Although the value of trade between Japan and Russia has been on the rise, there is still room for growth to provide more business opportunities for Japanese firms. The automobile sector, one of Japan's leading export areas, is particularly promising. Japanese automakers are urged to amplify their strategies for the Russian market.
　日露貿易額は増えているが、さらに伸びる余地があり、日本企業にはチャンスが広がる。とくに主力輸出品である自動車分野が有望だ。自動車各社は、ロシア戦略を強化してほしい。

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Abolish unfair restrictions

The fact that Russia has unilaterally introduced unfair trade restrictions, such as a hike in automobile tariffs and a limit on grain exports, is worrisome.
　懸念されるのは、ロシアがこれまで、自動車関税率引き上げや穀物輸出規制など、一方的な不公正貿易措置を導入したことだ。

Russia is also planning to impose a tax on old cars scheduled to be scrapped, to cover the disposal cost of such vehicles. Should Japanese and other foreign automobiles be targeted specifically, the environment will become unfavorable for exporters to the country.
　廃車時の費用を税金として徴収する廃車処理税も新たに準備している。日本車などが狙い撃ちされれば、輸出に不利になる。

With its entry into the WTO, Russia is obliged to follow the group's rules. If the country adopts unfair trade measures that run counter to WTO regulations, it is highly likely other member countries will file complaints against Russia.
　ロシアは加盟とともに、ＷＴＯルールを順守する義務を負う。ルールに違反する不公正貿易措置を導入すれば、他国からＷＴＯに提訴される可能性が高いだろう。

We also fear that protectionist measures, taken with increased frequency by governments in emerging economies, may adversely affect Russia's stance on international trade.
　新興国で相次いでいる保護貿易措置が、ロシアの姿勢に影響を与えかねないことも気がかりだ。

Indonesia has introduced an export duty on such items as nickel and copper, while Argentina has adopted an import permission system for certain goods, such as automobiles. Brazil is also demanding its trade partners increase their procurement of locally produced auto components.
　インドネシアはニッケル、銅などに輸出関税をかけ、アルゼンチンは自動車などの輸入に許可制を導入した。ブラジルも、自動車部品の現地調達比率を高めるよう、貿易相手国に要求している。

Japan, in cooperation with the United States and European countries, must call on Russia and other emerging economies to abolish unfair trade measures.
　日本は欧米と連携し、ロシアに限らず、新興国の不公正貿易措置の是正を求めねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 24, 2012)
（2012年8月24日01時23分  読売新聞）