RUSSIAN AND JAPANESE EXECUTIVES AT DAVOS
By Ian Bremmer

Foreign Policy
Friday, January 29, 2010 – 11:34 AM

I’m seeing a lot of Russians in Davos this year, but surprisingly
little Russia. It’s hard to say if it’s a conscious decision by
the Russian government, but if so, it strikes me as a pretty sound
strategy. After all, Russia as a topic generally comes across as
a negative in global circles–revisionist geopolitics, resource
nationalism, and strongly authoritarian (albeit charismatic, in a
fashion) domestic leadership. Instead, there are a healthy number of
Russian executives going about their business, presenting on panels
along with colleagues from other countries, and generally integrating
well. It’s probably their best Davos in a good long while.

The Russians have nothing on the Japanese execs, who are here in
serious force. Though absolutely none of whom are actually talking
about Japan. Indeed, the only attendee I could find giving a bullish
Japan story is Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi, who apparently is making
money there cans over fist. For everyone else, it’s a story of a
dwindling population and flat consumption, but world-class technology,
strong regulatory structure, and top-notch management. Japan’s model
apparently is to become a bigger Singapore.

Speaking of Singapore, a sad piece of trivia I just heard: after
lots of lobbying and prodding, an Armenian friend of mine (full
disclosure: my mum’s also Armenian) recently got Singaporean minister
and mentor Lee Kuan Yew to spend three days in Armenia. But the
Armenian government initially didn’t want to meet with him because
they didn’t know who he was. Land-locked, no resources to speak of,
and apparently they don’t read the paper. Oy.

Ian Bremmer will be blogging from Davos this week sending reports
and commentary from inside the World Economic Forum.