The presented study examines the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the macro- and microeconomic environment of the Russian Federation and the state of the country’s food and economic security.

Aim. The study aims to assess the impact of the pandemic and the associated socio-economic environmental factors on the deterioration of the country’s food and economic security.

Tasks. The authors examine the key factors that have a destabilizing effect on the economy in the context of the modern COVID-19 pandemic; analyze the issue of ensuring food security under modern conditions; substantiate the correlation between food security deterioration, the growth of unemployment, and increasing share of financially disadvantaged citizens in the context of falling effective demand.

Methods. This study is based on an interdisciplinary approach, analysis of scientific works of the Market Economy Institute of the RAS in the field of the country’s food and economic security, and information from public sources. The authors use analytical, statistical, and econometric research methods to examine the specific features of ensuring the country’s food and economic security.

Results. The pandemic is shown to have a destabilizing effect on the economy due to a number of direct and indirect factors. Among the obvious factors are the decline in trade and industrial production, closure of service enterprises, and dismissal of employees, which leads to an increase in unemployment. Direct factors include a decline in personal income and effective demand and direct costs of measures to combat the pandemic. Indirect factors include the growth of welfare payments, financial support for enterprises, a decline in tax and other budget revenues due to the falling oil price. It is substantiated that increased unemployment and falling effective demand of the share of financially disadvantaged citizens have a direct negative effect on the food and economic security of the population. The problem of growing and selling products of private farms is shown to be crucial for ensuring food security.

Conclusions. The consequences of the pandemic have a devastating impact on the economy and negatively affect food security. Therefore, it might take many moths or even years for the economy to return to its normal state.

The presented study develops methodological aspects of forming the concepts of national socio-economic development strategies through the example of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Aim. The study aims to improve the scientific and methodological framework for developing the concepts of national strategies for long-term socio-economic development.

Tasks. The authors examine the evolution of strategic thought through the lens of the balance between practical and theoretical principles in the content of strategy as a multi-faceted phenomenon; substantiate the need to make allowance for the influence of global and national trends in national socioeconomic development strategies; develop the methodological aspects of the formation of national development strategies.

Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition and the modern methods of strate-gizing theory to present the methodological aspects of development of national long-term socio-economic development strategy concepts.

Results. Strategy has come a long way, from battlefields to economic competition, and later to public administration, becoming an efficient means of competition between corporations and countries. The authors reveal the role of global and national trends and patterns as generators of potential opportunities and threats, gradually transforming into internal characteristics of the objects of strategizing as strategies are implemented; characterize the most important elements and categories of the strategy concept; substantiate the demand for the modern methods of strategizing theory in the development of the national long-term socio-economic development strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Conclusion. The modern strategizing theory offers efficient methods that can be successfully used to develop concepts of long-term national strategies.

The presented study addresses the problems of application of the Common Customs Tariff (CCT) of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) on unmanufactured tobacco, tobacco refuse, and cigarette paper, and its impact on cigarette exports.

Aim. The study aims to determine a possible strategy that can be used by Armenian cigarette exporters in the context of transition to the CCT rates for unmanufactured tobacco, tobacco refuse, and cigarette paper, and how it will impact cigarette exports.

Tasks. The authors analyze changes in import customs duty rates and the import structure of unmanufactured tobacco, tobacco refuse, and cigarette paper (by country of origin) and indicators of cigarette exports (by market); substantiate the need to ensure operational efficiency to remain competitive in the target markets for exported cigarettes.

Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition, including analytical and methodological approaches and elements of forecasting. The authors also use the analytical method to analyze the list of goods from developing or least developed countries that are entitled to tariff preferences when imported into the EAEU customs territory, the list of developing and least developed countries that are beneficiaries of the preferential system of the EEU, the EEU import customs duty rates on unmanufactured tobacco, tobacco refuse, and cigarette paper, statistics on the imports of these production resources by country of origin, and indicators of cigarette exports to the major destinations in 2014-2018 published by UN Comtrade Statistics. It is established that application of the EAEU’s CCT rates can impact cigarette exports, and the possible strategy that can be used by Armenian exporters to enhance the competitiveness of exported goods is determined.

Results. In case unmanufactured tobacco is imported from developing countries, such as India, Brazil, and others, a 3.75% import duty rate will be applied instead of the 5% CCT rate. Switching to imports from Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Malawi without implementing new efficient business processes to compete in export markets could be an option that exporters would resort to. However, imports from developing countries will not decline sharply in the medium term. Armenia used to import cigarette paper mainly from Western Europe, China, and Russia, which encourages Armenian exporters to focus on operational efficiency. Iraq and Syria being the two main export destinations for Armenian cigarettes, their further exports to these countries will be sensitive to price increases.

Conclusion. Increased customs duty rates on unmanufactured tobacco, tobacco refuse, and cigarette paper will have a negative impact and lead to an increase in prices on imported production resources used in the production of cigarettes for export. However, this impact will be insignificant. Due to the structure of cigarette exports, regardless of the country of origin of the imported resources, exporters should focus on ensuring operational efficiency to remain competitive in the major markets for exported products.

Practical application of results. The results of this study can be of interest to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and Business Armenia and can be used to produce a strategy for the development of cigarette production in Armenia and to facilitate exports.

The presented study examines the relationship between export structure and inventive activity. It is established that the correlation between items of national export and inventive activity in the corresponding areas of technology is clear in medium-and high-tech fields and significantly lower in the commodity sector. The existence of this correlation makes it possible to conclude that maintaining the achieved level of non-resource exports is feasible only in the context of a constant search for new technological solutions that could become the source of new comparative competitive advantages for exported goods.

Aim. The study aims to examine the correlation between export structure and the dynamics of inventive activity.

Tasks. The authors analyze possible relationships between patent activity and exports in low-, medium-, and high-tech fields and determine patterns in the export dynamics of raw materials, fertilizers, and chemical batteries.

Methods. This study uses the methods of correlation-regression analysis and time series analysis.

Results. It is established that the correlation between items of national export and patent activity in the corresponding areas of technology is clear in medium-and high-tech spheres and significantly lower in the commodity sector.

Conclusions. It is impossible to transfer all results of technological development into production with their subsequent transformation into export-oriented value propositions, which makes it necessary to ensure such rates of inventive activity in the target areas of technology that would outpace the desired growth rates of the corresponding export items. An increase in the exports of goods with high added value by the national economy can be achieved only providing that the rate of inventive activity is higher than the worldwide average for the corresponding area of technology.

On February 12, 2020, the European Parliament officially ratified a free trade agreement with Vietnam — at a time when an infectious disease caused by COVID-19 is actively spreading around the world, which can significantly affect the European economy, investment, and social sphere.

Aim. The presented study aims to demonstrate that implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has the potential not only to increase the volume of trade, but also to activate new mechanisms of comprehensive cooperation between Europe and Vietnam while maintaining their mutual interest.

Tasks. The authors summarize structural changes in the exports and imports of goods in the medium term; show a reduction in the interest rate on tariffs for goods exported from Vietnam to the European Union (EU) and goods coming from the EU to Vietnam; examine the growth dynamics of Vietnamese exports in 2020, 2025, and 2030, the dynamics of the EU exports to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) in the same years, and the growth of trade balance surplus.

Methods. This study uses general methods to analyze free trade zones in a multilateral and bilateral format, which will be reflected in the study of the Eu-Vietnam free trade zone.

Conclusions. Vietnam has accumulated significant experience in organizing free trade zones during the transition from a command economy to a market economy in 1986-2019, thus creating conditions for sustainable economic growth and becoming a country with many advanced and new technologies, higher income and living standards of the population. Based on a high level of strategic partnership with advanced countries, including the EU, United States, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Russia, Vietnam has ensured its economic security and has become a guarantor of peace in the East Asian region.

The presented study analyzes the problems and prospects of economic cooperation between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and post-Soviet countries. Examination of China’s economic activity in the former Soviet Union is a relevant scientific task due to the rapid transformation of China’s foreign economic strategy in the context of its growing economic power and in the light of Russia’s economic and political interests in this region.

Aim. The study aims to assess the content and practical implementation of China’s strategy of economic penetration into the former Soviet Union and to identify the prospects and risks of in-depth cooperation with China for post-Soviet countries.

Tasks. The authors determine the underlying internal economic, political, and social problems of China’s strategy of presence in the former Soviet Union; identify the stages of implementation of China’s strategy for the exploration of the former Soviet Union and the significance of both traditional forms of cooperation (trade, investment, loans) and new formats for its implementation; calculate statistical indices for the analysis of complementarity and trade competition in the development of cooperation between post-Soviet countries and the PRC; assess the efficiency of cooperation between post-Soviet countries and China as a tool for economic modernization and mobilization of new sources of economic growth; identify risks associated with Chinese economic expansion in the former Soviet Union and opportunities for cooperation with China through the lens of the economic interests of post-Soviet countries.

Methods. This study uses theoretical and comparative analysis, calculation of statistical indices, observation, synthesis, generalization, description, and graphical modeling.

Results. The conducted study shows that China has been consistently and deeply penetrating into the economic activities of post-Soviet countries, driven by the results of a detailed study of economic and geopolitical situation in each of the countries of the former Soviet Union and based on China’s economic needs. The developed strategy allows China to become a key player in the post-Soviet region and the main trading partner, investor, and lender for post-Soviet countries.

Conclusions. In-depth cooperation with China carries a number of risks for post-Soviet countries, such as economic dependence, huge debt load, becoming a transport corridor and raw material base, possible environmental degradation due to the transfer of production, declining competitiveness of domestic enterprises following the establishment of a free trade zone. However, the existence of risks arising from China’s implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in the former Soviet Union does not negate the general conclusion about the feasibility of closer economic cooperation between postSoviet countries and the People’s Republic of China, which can become a factor in the sustainable development of the region’s countries, helping them to solve urgent economic and social problems and to strengthen the security system in the former Soviet Union.

The presented study examines certain aspects of Mexico’s social policy from the 19th century to the implementation of the key programs of the 2019-2024 National Development Plan.

Aim. The study aims to identify the major causes and find solutions to one of the main problems of social development in Mexico - social stratification.

Tasks. The authors determine the sequence of historical, political, and economic actions that have influenced social inequality; examine the factors that have led to social stratification; analyze

statistics pertaining to reforms; examine the programs of Mexico’s 2019-2024 National Development Plan.

Methods. This study uses general scientific methods of cognition to identify social development trends in Mexico’s socio-economic policy and the underlying internal and external factors, and to analyze the directions of the programs of Mexico’s 2019-2024 National Development Plan.

Results. Social inequality in Mexico can be traced back to medieval times. Since the 19^th century, oppressed people have been openly asserting their social standing. Significant social stratification and an overwhelming number of poor people with little education cannot resist the country’s political system. There is constant pressure from foreign countries, particularly from the United States, on the political order of Mexico through the promotion of foreign standards aimed at deriving profit for other countries and the Mexican elite. The country’s domestic regulation is carried out in the context of limited wage growth, lack of a progressive taxation system, and disparate accessibility of social benefits for different population groups. Since the beginning of the 21st century, introduction of socially oriented programs has reduced social inequality, but it remains too high in comparison with developed and developing countries.

Conclusions. A study of the country’s socio-economic policy since the 19th century reveals features that are specific to Mexico: a very high level of corruption and criminality, social stratification with an overwhelming number of low-income people and general marginalization hinder the country’s social development and economic growth. The middle class is poorly developed and cannot provide the domestic consumption necessary for the stable development of Mexico and reduction of the country’s dependence on its trading partners. Population support measures are ineffective in the context of the established way of life.

The presented study examines the problems of integration of the national banking systems of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Aim. The study aims to examine the major differences in various aspects of functioning of banking systems in the EAEU member states in terms of their impact on integration processes.

Tasks. The author identifies the most prominent features of the banking systems of the EAEU states; reveals the depth of the existing differences through a comparative analysis of various indicators of national banking systems; outlines ways of overcoming integration problems associated with differences in the banking sectors of the Union states.

Methods. This study is based on universal general scientific methods and elements of comparative, functional, and economic analysis within the framework of a systems approach. The author uses regulatory documents and banking reports of the EAEU states, statistical and analytical materials of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), and data of Moody’s international rating agency.

Results. The study identifies a number of aspects that contain the major differences in the functioning of banking systems in the EAEU member states; highlights the disproportions in the scale, level of development, financial stability, and risks of the banking spheres of the Union states; comparatively analyzes the proportion of banking and non-banking structures in the system and the share of the government and non-resident companies in the capital of banks; marks the difference in the pricing of banking services; determines differences in the existing approaches to banking regulation and the established standards; analyzes the major differences in the legislative acts of the central banks and governments of the EAEU member states and in the terms and definitions used. According to the results of the study, the major factors hindering the development of integration processes between the banking systems of the EAEU states are identified.

Conclusions. The existing differences between the banking systems of the EAEU countries are diverse and multifaceted. The author states that the aspects addressed in this study have a significant negative impact on the further development of integration processes, describing the major directions and actions of the member states aimed at minimizing the exiting differences, which are required to facilitate the convergence of the states and the transition towards a common financial market.

The presented study examines the digital transformation of society in the current context. It is established that the digital business environment affects all economic sectors, the character of production, distribution, exchange, and consumption of goods, changes the structure of social production and employment. It radically transforms the way business structures adapt to the challenges of the modern age and the prospects of their development and competitiveness. The tools and mechanisms for the functioning of the digital environment should be determined based on the demand of entrepreneurs for digital resources. With the explosive growth of digital technology and the mass spread of the Internet, traditional management systems are being used less. This makes it obvious that business activities should be digitalized through the implementation of information systems along with changes in management. The government should facilitate investment in the development of the information business and support innovative enterprises oriented towards international markets. This would help the Russian Federation to remain competitive at the onset of the sixth wave of innovation.

Aim. The study aims to show the genesis and role of state regulation in the development of the infrastructure-based digital business environment, to analyze the major areas of the digital environment, and to propose modern tools that should exist in the system of business support during the sixth wave of innovation.

Tasks. The authors analyze the development of the digital environment in Russia and worldwide with allowance for changes in management; examine the tools and mechanism for the digital adaptation of the business; identify problems and opportunities for the successful implementation of digital technologies to improve business competitiveness in Russia.

Methods. This study uses comparative, static, and dynamic analysis and systematization of scientific literature in conjunction with historical development, elements of a systems approach, and modeling of socio-economic development processes.

Results. The authors prove that implementation of projects in the field of information business will increase the investment attractiveness of both national and regional socio-economic systems, leading to a growth in innovative entrepreneurship and ensuring the inflow of investment in research and development, including in the field of digitalization. This, in turn, will create conditions for sustainable economic development.

Conclusions. The necessity of implementing a project approach to the development of business digitalization in Russia in state regulation and infrastructure support for business activities is substantiated. The major directions of digital business support in Russia are identified.

In recent years, several competing trends have been observed in the world. On the one hand, the private sector is expanding in multiple countries, and the number of small enterprises, sole proprietors, and the self-employed is growing. On the other hand, there is a clear trend of globalization of public companies and their transformation into transnational state corporations. This trend is typical not only for developing countries, such as China, Russia, Brazil, and India, but also for countries with developed economies such as Norway, France, Italy, and South Korea. Most transnational state corporations are concentrated in the energy sector: nuclear industry, oil production and processing, transportation of oil, gas, and petroleum products.

Aim. The presented study aims to comparatively analyze the activities of public and private oil companies in Russia and globally.

Tasks. The authors determine the degree of compliance of Russian companies with the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the corporate governance of public enterprises and identify the most efficient companies in the subject industry to determine the components of their efficiency and to develop a management benchmark based on them.

Results. The analysis of variance reveals a correlation between this parameter and the indicators of economic development of a public enterprise - revenue and EBITDA. DEA methodology is used to conduct a two-stage analysis of the comparative efficiency of the largest oil companies. At the first stage, the most efficient companies in the Russian oil industry are identified. At the second stage, Russian companies are compared with the largest oil companies in the United States, Great Britain, China, Norway, the Netherlands, and France. The author identifies the three most effective companies from the initial selection of business entities.

There are many issues associated with the government pricing of construction products, the main of which are addressed in the presented study. With the government playing a key role in determining the budgeted cost of construction, the Ministry of Construction, Industry, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation has been radically reforming pricing and budget normalization in construction since 2016. The author of this study briefly analyzes the results of these reforms and formulates proposals for addressing the issues of improving pricing in construction.

Aim. The study aims to examine the current state of government pricing and budget normalization in construction, to determine the ways of shifting from the base index method for making estimates according to state standards and prices to the development of budget documentation using the input method based on real (market) standards for construction resources with participation in construction competitions.

Tasks. Based on the results of the study, the author determines the ways for the construction industry to shift from the base index method for making estimates to the input method for determining the budgeted cost of construction according to market norms and prices of construction resources. The author also identifies ways of improving methods for determining overhead costs and estimated profit for local cost estimates.

Methods. This study uses general scientific research methods to examine the problems of pricing of construction products according to state standards for resource consumption and unit costs of work measurement.

Results. The major drawbacks of the 2001 budget-normative base are identified, and the main objective of construction pricing reforms in a competitive market economy is formulated. The shortcomings of the state estimate standards and federal unit costs introduced by the Russian Ministry of Construction are shown. It is established that the government pricing system causes problems in the assessment of the real cost of construction projects, budget implementation, and timely commissioning of projects. Basic methods for the pricing of construction products are provided.

Conclusions. In government pricing, the budgeted cost of construction is not determined by real (market) standards, technologies, and prices of construction resources. Following the example of other industries and developed countries, it is necessary to shift to the market (input) method for competitive pricing of construction products in a market economy.

The presented study examines such important modern trends in the development of the insurance business as mutual liability insurance with a network organization of participants and an innovative combination of insurance and charitable activities.

Aim. The study aims to analyze some recent trends in the insurance business and to make substantiated proposals on their implementation in the form of mutual (non-commercial) insurance.

Tasks. The authors examine the international experience of mutual insurance and identify innovative directions; substantiate prerequisites for the creation of new professional liability insurance societies based on the principles of mutual insurance; consider a practical example of a successful combination of insurance and charitable activities; forecast the prospects of using modern information technologies and network models in insurance and provide recommendations for further scientific and practical research.

Methods. This study uses analysis of public information and subsequent synthesis of new knowledge in the form of expert proposals and forecasts. During the study, the authors examine scientific publications on insurance, federal law, international information on mutual insurance, and data from an innovative startup website.

Results. The basic principles, advantages, and drawbacks of mutual insurance are described, and its role and significance in the international insurance market are shown. It is established that mutual insurance is most promising for a number of areas of liability insurance - primarily those focusing on the professional commonality of participants (members of a mutual society). The authors propose using information technologies to unite potential participants and organize the actual activities of modern mutual societies for the purpose of insurance against professional liability risks. Indicators and a general business model of an existing innovative insurance startup are provided.

Conclusions. The emergence and successful operation of an innovative insurance startup has empirically set new promising trends in the insurance business, particularly in mutual insurance. As nonprofit insurance organizations develop in the future, they will be able to use modern information technologies and innovative ways of organizing insurance business. It is reasonable to propose promising directions for further scientific and practical research, including interdisciplinary research.