The article examines the current trends in the development of sea freight transport in conjunction with the main trends in the formation of international trade, emerging under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, special operations of Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine on the background of the processes of digital transformation and decarbonization of the economy in combination with other factors. The authors come to the conclusion that the market for maritime transport services, as well as the other areas of international economic relations, continue to remain in a state of uncertainty related to ambiguity at the timing of the end of the epidemic, the consequences of breaks in global supply chains, looming energy, financial and food crises. It is concluded that the only correct solutions in these conditions of uncertainty may be a stake on scientific and technological progress and further advancement along the paths of digital transformation of maritime transport with a focus on strengthening the environmental component. Otherwise, the future is unpredictable.

The authors' analysis of the Syrian-Iraqi trade as the basis for the implementation of socio- economic development programs in the long term is carried out in the article. It is shown that these countries, which find themselves in a similar socio-economic situation and are rebuilding their economies after military intervention on their territory, have common approaches in understanding the process of both reconstruction and regional cooperation. The economies of both countries are mutually complementary to a certain extent, since Syria, which has a more diversified economy, has the opportunity to supply Iraq with the industrial goods necessary for this country. However, the authors emphasize that an external factor, namely the economic sanctions imposed by Western countries that remain in effect against both countries, still prevent, for example, the export of Iraqi oil to Syria. According to the authors, cooperation between Syria and Iraq in various economic spheres relevant to both countries is an example of a new model of regional cooperation emerging in the post-global era.

Global competition in modern realities with rapid changes in technology brings new tasks for national policies, taking into consideration tightening restrictions on technology exports. So improving competitive strategy, with new technologies being a critical part of it, finding additional pathways to meet the challenges is on the agenda. The paper focuses on ranking countries not only by creating technologies, including frontier ones, but being prepared for them as well. The readiness index has been designed to rank countries by national capabilities to create, use, adopt and adapt technologies. This index includes such elements as R&D activities, ICT development, skills, the capacity to use in industry, access to finance. Among the best - ready countries are the United States, followed by Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Singapore, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea. Most of the least-ready countries are in the developing countries. The ranking by each element is not less important and shows wide range of inequalities between countries as to skills or the capacity to use new technologies in industry or access to finance etc. Strengthening all of these elements are critically important for meeting competitive challenges.

The long dominance of the United States of America in many areas of international trade has determined its central place in the global market for biological and biotechnological research and development, the implementation of which in various regions and countries of the world is controlled not only by the federal government, but also by transnational corporations and non- profit international organizations affiliated with the United States. Considering the complexity of studying trade and intermediary chains in a globalized world, the author made an attempt to study the industry dynamics and spatial structure of US international cooperation in the field of biological and biotechnological R&D since the early 1950s. and until 2020 based on the results of an economic and statistical analysis of the absolute and relative indicators of their financing by various American customers. The data obtained made it possible to identify a number of structural and dynamic trends in the cooperation under study in the context of specific areas. Based on the well-known theoretical and factual data, confirmed by the empirical results of this study, the fundamental importance of the US expansion in the field of biological and biotechnological R&D, which is constantly growing in time and expanding in the world space, is seen as one of the tools for preserving by the largest American business and power not only economic, but also political influence, through the stabilization of the "American-centric" world- system, the stability of which is under threat.

This study presents the implementation of the US environmental policy under US President Biden, which applies Washington's zero emissions policy to all countries. It analyzes the implementation of President Biden's environmental policy and how it affects relations between Indonesia and the United States. This study attempts to develop an approach to bilateral cooperation through descriptive analysis and qualitative research by conducting a study of scientific literature and subsequent analysis of the results obtained. This study shows that the environmental policy of the United States under the leadership of J. Biden will affect Indonesia's trade and economic strategies and the national environment after its implementation. Jakarta is seriously engaged in national sustainable development to address the global challenges of climate change.

The evolution of financial instruments imprints a new meaning on the process of investment decision-making. As a result of the transformation and the increasing involvement of countries and businesses in the ESG agenda, there is a need to form new indicators or parameters for evaluating activities. ESG criteria make it possible to evaluate the activities of companies within the framework of the sustainable development agenda, which is necessary for raising capital, investing, listing on the stock exchange, etc. In addition, adherence to the sustainable development agenda allows the company to improve its image, create a reputation, and also provide support to the world community in the fight against poverty, environmental degradation, global warming, etc. The article is intended to highlight the emerging conceptual paradigm, as well as to identify and analyze the relevant changes in the international capital market. The international practice of sustainable financing and the application of new instruments in the regional context are considered. ESG reflects fundamental changes in the agenda of the global community. These shifts in preferences will play a huge role in how the economy works, what products are purchased, and how companies will profit in the future.

In the article examines the development of global debt, and the role of the International Mone- tary Fund (IMF) as an institutional entity tasked with maintaining the stability of the interna- tional monetary system, given that it’s powers has been exceeded; by adopting a model of growth and development at the global level and providing countries with reform recommenda- tions in economic and finance politics. Then it focus on the growth of the Sultanate of Oman's external debt and its relationship with fluctuating world prices of oil and its impact on the state budget deficit. Some figures related to the period from 2009 to 2020 have been highlighted and analysis, with reference to the COVID-19 period and how it has affected the economy in Oman. The article concludes with some measures taken by the Sultanate of Oman to confront the debt crisis in the medium and long term.

The author believes that the countries of North Africa, with a much differentiated level of socio- economic and digital development, already have certain opportunities for digital development, the need for such development and the creation of digital potential, including in the field of digital trade. However, in our opinion, the countries of the region currently lack a strategic understanding of specific industry tasks in the field of digitalization. It is important to strengthen the presence of the Russian Federation in the digital segment of the region, especially in key segments of the economy. According to the author, the prerequisites for strengthening cooperation in this segment really exist, in particular, they are predetermined by both a fairly active digitalization in the Russian Federation and the growth of Russian-North African trade in the commodity segment and in the service sector based on the growing interest of the parties in the further development of bilateral cooperation, taking into account the growth of global uncertainty.

This paper analyses the industrial economic development and industrial structure of China and United States in the era of Industry 4.0, and summarizes the manufacturing upgrade policies of the two countries. Under the manufacturing policy, the overall economic development and industrial structure of China and United States have undergone significant changes. Since 2015, the digitalization of manufacturing has become one of the focuses of economic work in countries around the world. The policies formulated by China and United States for the digitalization of manufacturing have played different roles and influences. This article conducts an in-depth study on how China and United States can further realize the digitalization of manufacturing after the world enters the age of Industry 4.0. It is concluded that the country should base itself on the development of the manufacturing industry, and use the development opportunities of the digital economy and the guiding role of policies to realize the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry.

The article examines some features of the modern digital economy not from the point of view of its level of development, but rather as a "habitat" of national economies of various countries of the world. The article shows that the development of the digital economy in the world and in individual countries in the XXI century has received a huge spread and equally huge opportunities to influence internal processes in various countries. Moreover, this impact, being mainly positive, has a number of negative consequences for various countries. The author substantiates the point of view that today the "digital divide" is growing in the digital segment of the world economy, which negatively affects the sustainability of socio-economic development of a number of countries. In addition, the risks in the field of national security are also increasing. At the same time, the threats and risks to national security associated with digitalization and the possibilities of external control over the information and digital space of national states in general are increasing, as are the digital opportunities to realize these threats to one degree or another. Therefore, the author's idea is the need for supranational regulation of digitalization processes.

The article examines the features, dynamics, and directions of bilateral Russian-German bilateral trade and economic cooperation in the context of sanctions and the tasks of post-crisis recovery. The purpose of the article is to identify the specifics and main trends – cost, commodity, sanctions-of mutual trade between the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Germany in the XXI century, especially in 2016-2020, on the basis of statistical analysis. The research was based on the data of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for 2000-2020, other primary sources, as well as available scientific research conducted in both countries. The authors conclude that the importance of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Germany remains important, if not key, for their socio-economic development, including its stability, for the EU and Eurasia as a whole, and also has a direct and/or indirect impact on global processes in the field of trade and economic development. The study showed that at this historical stage, bilateral trade and economic relations are characterized by various and numerous problems, contradictions and imbalances. Despite this, both sides are interested in solving these problems, as well as third countries, which, in our opinion, have the mechanisms and tools that can help them overcome most of the existing difficulties.

The article provides an empirical study of bilateral trade between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China in 2011–2020 from the point of view of the formation of the Russian-Chinese free trade zone. The purpose of the article is to study the situation in the sphere of bilateral trade between the Russian Federation and China in the last decade and to establish both changes and emerging trends and processes in this area. The author's opinion is that, although China remains a very important partner of Russia in foreign trade and in general in the foreign economic sphere, cooperation retains a high degree of importance, but with the growth of interdependence, risks for Russia are definitely growing. At the same time, since in the medium term, apparently, the role of the PRC as a leading Russian partner will at least remain (perhaps even grow), the formation of a Russian-Chinese free trade zone seems premature to us. It is vital for Russia today to reduce the export of raw materials (which are vital to China), to reduce their share in total exports. To achieve this goal, it is important for Russia to further diversify its foreign trade, especially exports. At the same time, it is worth considering the possibility of using China's experience in implementing foreign trade expansion. The study uses data from the international database of UNCTAD and the Federal Customs Service of Russia. Analytical, empirical, and statistical methods were used in the study.