The Problems of Digitalisation in the Eurasian Economic Union

Abstract

The transition to digital transformation of economy is viewed by the EAEU countries as an opportunity to increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the national economy by joining efforts within the framework of their integration. It is within the framework of integration-based associations that the barriers to increasing the scope of digital transactions effectuated in the conditions of free competition may be eliminated. The purpose of the research is to verify the potential of digitalisation in terms of influencing the development of integration in a number of countries, in particular the EAEU, and thus increasing their international competitiveness. The article presents the approaches of various authors to defining the concept of “digital economy” and highlights the international component in its socio-economic substance. It substantiates the need to coordinate the actions of EAEU countries upon the implementation of the Main Directions for the Realisation of the EAEU Digital Agenda until 2025. It is shown that the realisation of the national digital transformation programme in concordance with the supranational level makes it possible to improve the competitive position of a country by the example of Russia which has significantly improved its positions in the Global Innovation Index. The need to strengthen the coordination of the EAEU countries in the field of digitalisation has been substantiated: new barriers separating the countries by the technological principle may arise without it, and this will hinder the realisation of the principle of “four freedoms” necessary for enhancement of the integration.